Removing all stigma

Earlier this year, Army Staff Sgt. Ty Carter was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery exhibited on the battlefield. He has rightfully been commended for the courage he demonstrated while serving this country, but he must also be applauded for a new mission he has undertaken — removing the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment among members of our armed services and veterans.

As vice chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I have made it a priority throughout my tenure in Congress to work with my colleagues to ensure that the needs of our veterans are met.

{mosads}Advances in medical technology have made it possible for the men and women of our armed forces to survive injuries on the battlefield that would have previously been fatal. However, as our nation’s heroes reintegrate into society, they are facing physical and mental challenges that have not been addressed in years past.

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has become one of the signature wounds of our recent wars. Sadly, this injury is sometimes ignored or overlooked due to the stigmas associated with seeking treatment, which can result in more serious injuries like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or even death. While it is currently unknown how many veterans suffer from TBI, the number of diagnoses is expected to rise over the next few years.

To address this need among our service members and veterans, I have been working with my colleagues to spread awareness and understanding of these issues and the importance of treatment for our service members and veterans. Late last year, I hosted a briefing with members of Congress, National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell and representatives from the U.S. Army to examine how we could work together to minimize the prevalence of TBI among our service members and athletes.

The briefing also focused on the NFL and U.S. Army’s public-private partnership and how it could be replicated among other entities to strengthen awareness and research efforts. Together, we must create a culture that encourages our service members to seek treatment and take time to heal.

The Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Health and Human Services have also increased access to mental health services, as well as funding for research to explore the catalysts of these illnesses and how to prevent them entirely.

Congress included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 that allowed Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans to enroll in the VA health system for an extended period of time, during which they could access mental healthcare designed to address these specific needs. This same law also mandated that the VA secretary create a TBI Veterans Health Registry in the hopes of better tracking the treatment of veterans suffering from these ailments.

Congress has also taken a more active role in ensuring veterans receive the treatment they need by pressing the VA to explain the lengthy wait times veterans have experienced when seeking mental healthcare, and exploring how the VA can work with local providers to address this growing need. As Congress authorizes additional funding for TBI research, it must also ensure these funds are being used in the most effective manner.

Veterans’ care must be comprehensive, addressing both physical and mental health needs. However, due to inequities in the law, treatment for brain injuries often solely focus on physical restoration, overlooking the critical mental health component.

We must also ensure all veterans have timely access to quality care in their communities, particularly in situations of TBI and PTSD. This care should include specialized treatment through innovative approaches, such as age-appropriate recreational rehabilitation for our most severely injured veterans. We must also bring awareness to the resources that are available to our service members.
One such resource is the Veterans Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255, which offers all veterans and service members, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, 24-hour, free, confidential counseling with a trained VA staff member.

TBI is a serious injury and must be treated as such. Let us always remember the importance of remaining vigilant and supporting our heroes upon their return home. On Veterans Day and every day forward, take a moment to thank those who have answered the call of duty and offer your support in their times of need.

Bilirakis has represented Florida’s 12th Congressional District since 2007. He sits on the Energy and Commerce and the Veterans’ Affairs committees.