Thursday, July 09, 2009
Among the most overlooked victims of the nation’s dual wars have been the children of military personnel, who it turns out are more than ever in need of mental health services. Statistics compiled by the Defense Department reveal that the number of military children seeking outpatient mental health care has doubled since the invasion of Iraq in 2003, from 1 million to 2 million. Even more alarming is the 20% jump in one year, from 2007 to 2008, in the number of military kids hospitalized for psychological problems. Overall, inpatient visits among military children have increased 50% since 2003.
The problem has revealed itself even at summer camps organized by the National Military Family Association for about 10,000 children of deployed soldiers. Reports of young people taking medication and suffering from severe homesickness, anxiety or depression have surfaced at the camps.
The military is conducting research to determine exactly what is causing so many kids of male and female soldiers to develop mental disorders. Likely explanations involve family separation, moving frequently, and parents dying or coming home disabled, compounded by strains from the current economic recession.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
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