To the Editor:
Will it take another tragedy such as that of Chris Kyle and Eddie Ray Routh for the U.S. government to pass legislation that will provide an initial mental health screening for a new recruit aspiring to enlist in the armed forces? Currently, an individual enlisting in the armed forces undergoes a physical examination, which may have a few mental health questions geared to determine if an individual is insane. Consequently, an individual enlisting in the services who may be slightly more susceptible than average to develop a mental disorder, will go undetected and undocumented until a situation arises that may require a mental health screening.
This is unacceptable to the men and women dedicating their lives to their country. Mental health services throughout the country are plagued with disparity. However, studies show that in those enlisting in the military, one in five army soldiers enter service with a psychiatric disorder. These services are constricted by the fact that there is no initial mental health screening or assessment done by licensed and trained psychologists of a new recruit entering the armed services. Furthermore, there is evidence that shows half of all soldiers who attempted suicide had first tried prior to enlisting.
The most salient data, which buttress the need for an initial mental health screening of a new recruit is, a large percentage of suicides in the military were individuals who had never been deployed in a combat role. Those who may oppose a bill that brings to parity a mental health examination with a physical one, may cite the attrition such a screening may cause the military as historically has been the case. Additionally, screening of new recruits coupled with the unreliability of self-reporting may also be an argument for those opposing such a bill as the MEPS act of 2015. One more opposing position may be an economic one. There may be fears that the bill would prove economically unsound.
However, due to the bill dying in a previous congress, there is no data showing any opposition to the bill. Granted these issues have validity. However, the MEPS act of 2015 does not propose to change anything with the current legislation. It simply proposes that a new recruit receive a mental health screening to be used solely as a baseline for any future screening or services. Furthermore, the MEPS act has stringent wording in place that stipulates the screening is not to be used against a soldier coming up for a promotion or any other services they are eligible to receive. Moreover, the MEPS act requires records to follow strict privacy laws and denies the use of the assessments for promotions or assignments. The MEPS Act of 2015 poses no projected negative budgetary impact, better services for those who may enter the military with depression, PTSD or any other issue, and the fact that men and women willing to sacrifice their lives for their country deserve more than mediocre testing and services.
CARL CLEMONS