A new Rand study titled, "Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery" was released today examining the numbers of vets from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars who are suffering from brain injuries and mental illnesses. One of the most damning revelations in the report was that 43% of veterans are not seeking treatment for their injuries. Here are some of the findings from Raw Story:
_About 19 percent - or some 320,000 services members - reported that they experienced a possible traumatic brain injury while deployed. In wars where blasts from roadside bombs are prevalent, the injuries can range from mild concussions to severe head wounds.
_About 7 percent reported both a probable brain injury and current PTSD or major depression.
_Only 43 percent reported ever being evaluated by a physician for their head injuries.
_Only 53 percent of service members with PTSD or depression sought help over the past year.
_They gave various reasons for not getting help, including that they worried about the side effects of medication; believe family and friends could help them with the problem, or that they feared seeking care might damage their careers.
_Rates of PTSD and major depression were highest among women and reservists.
