Army Leaders Call For Soldier Re-Evaluations
By: Caroline Tucker
Updated: May 17, 2012
The U.S. Army is launching a widespread review of post traumatic stress disorder evaluations.
The review is happening because of recent complaints that some soldier's PTSD diagnoses were improperly overturned.
Here in Rochester, there is a strong community of mental health professionals and veteran support groups.
They think this is the right move.
They include people like Tom Porpiglia, a mental health counselor, who has treated nearly two dozen veterans over the last four years.
He said every one of those veterans has had PTSD. He said some of them go back to Vietnam.
He's well aware post traumatic stress disorder is misdiagnosed.
"The first thing that comes to mind is that they just don't want to admit the atrocity of war on the human psyche," said Tom Porpiglia, a licensed mental health counselor.
Army leaders now say they will launch an independent review of how soldiers with possible PTSD are evaluated.
It will review all diagnoses at its medical facilities dating back to October 2001.
"They are waking up, they are really starting to realize the challenges there are for these veterans," said Porpiglia.
Retired Army Major General Robert Mixon is well aware of the challenges.
He helps run CDS Unistel's Warrior Salute program for veterans.
"I think as a country we are finally coming to grips that there are invisible wounds," said Maj. Gen. Robert Mixon (Ret.).
He has two sons in the Army and wants the best for them and their fellow soldiers.
"Certainly the better the more comprehensive evaluation, the better handle we get on it," said Maj. Gen. Mixon (Ret.).
Mixon says re-evaluations are just the start.
"I feel as though it is part of the answer, but it is not all of it. The real answer is the collaboration between the services, the VA and community based programs like Warrior Salute," said Maj. Gen. Mixon (Ret.).
And Porpiglia hopes more men and women will now get help sooner.
"Hopefully they get better diagnoses sooner and that they come up with some better treatment protocols that what they have now," said Porpiglia.
Army leaders say they will also develop a detailed action plan to correct their behavioral health policies.
The goal is to have the same standards at all army medical facilities.
