“The time is now to help our heroes who have fought for our freedoms, who have sacrificed their lives for us”
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
All Illinois National Guard troops returning from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan now will be screened for traumatic brain injury and get access to post-traumatic stress disorder help under a new, first-of-its-kind state program.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Tammy Duckworth, director of the state’s Department of Veterans Affairs, announced the program earlier this week in Chicago.
The program includes mandatory traumatic brain injury screening for all returning National Guard combat veterans, voluntary screening for all other Illinois veterans, and a 24-hour toll-free psychological help line for veterans suffering from PTSD.
Blagojevich called the new services an important response to veterans’ mental health needs.“After they’ve given so much to protect our freedom, we should do everything we can to help them live productive and stable lives when they return home,” he said.
Duckworth said she’s proud to see Illinois set an example in how to care for returning combat troops. “The time is now to help our heroes who have fought for our freedoms, who have sacrificed their lives for us,” she said. “We must, at the very least, make sure they all have access to the health and psychological care they deserve.”
The Defense Department’s latest Mental Health Task Force Report, released June 15, notes the department is working to improve screenings servicemembers receive for possible mental health problems.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46649