Paltalk News - Treatment Of Returning Vets Explored

The resources available to returning combat veterans and their families to help them with the transitions both must face were explored on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com today.

Tom Tarantino of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America said the resources for returning active duty troops is better than those for reserve and National Guard soldiers. Because those active are still attached to military facilities.

The reserve and National guard troops, he says, aren't always able to avail themselves of VA services because of logistics or because they lack a support structure to encourage them to get treatment.

Some 20 percent of returning troops report some sort of mental distress. The actual numbers may be higher because of a culture that stigmatizes mental health issues.

Tarantino says returning troops should no longer be required to self-evaluate, but should each be examined by competent mental health personnel.

The IAVA asked both presidential candidates to pledge to do more for returning troops and is promising to continue its efforts with the incoming Obama administration.

The organization is also launching a public service announcement campaign that encourages loved ones of returning service members to be aware of the resources available to them and the veterans in their families.

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