New DoD study finds problems in Iraq

The Department of Defense has released its latest study of the mental health of soldiers and marines in Iraq. The fourth Mental Health Advisory Team report (MHAT-IV; "emm hat four"), among other findings, confirms that multiple and lengthened deployments for soldiers and marines are causing increased mental health problems for troops.

The report is long -- 89 pages with 20 appendices -- and contains a wealth of information about what troops are enduring in Iraq. The report's findings include:

• Soldier and marine morale is worsening (this is a problem because low morale leads to poor "unit cohesion" which is a risk factor for developing Post-Traumatic Stress or other mental health problems);
• about 20 percent of soldiers met screening criteria for a mental health problem (anxiety, depression or acute stress) -- an increase from previous years;
• the "linear relationship" between combat exposure and subsequent mental health problems was further confirmed (nearly one third of troops who had seen "high combat" met criteria for a mental health problem);
• troops with a mental health problem are not likely to seek help because a perceived stigma against such problems -- of the 20 percent of solders who met screening criteria for a mental health problem, only 42 percent sought help.

The report was written in November 2006, and was released to the public May 4, 2007. (While some find that 6-month delay suspicious, it's worth noting that the MHAT-IV was released much more quickly than the MHAT-II, which was delayed 8 months, and the MHAT-III, which was delayed a full year.)