"Hidden Injuries of War": General Peter Chiarelli on PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Support

General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, appeared on CNN's "State of the Union" on May 29, 2011, to discuss the devastating impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) on soldiers and veterans. Chiarelli expressed concerns about the long-term effects of a decade of war on the nation's service members and the need for further research on the brain.

Key Takeaways:

• Over the past two years, soldiers and veterans have killed themselves in greater numbers than were killed in combat, with 162 suicides reported in the U.S. Army in 2010, a force of 725,000.
• General Chiarelli acknowledged that PTSD, TBI, and other behavioral health issues have been a problem throughout history but have become more pronounced due to the nature of modern warfare.
• The general described the situation as "absolutely essential that we study and learn everything we can about the brain" to better understand the effects of long deployments and repeated exposure to traumatic experiences.
• Chiarelli stated that the Army is working to address a national problem of a shortage of behavioral health specialists, including psychiatrists, to provide adequate care to service members.
• He emphasized the importance of addressing the stigma associated with seeking help for mental health issues, as demonstrated by the fact that almost 50% of soldiers who committed suicide in 2010 had seen a behavioral health specialist.
• The general attributed the reliance on pharmaceuticals as a contributing factor to the problem, emphasizing the need for alternative approaches, such as biomarkers and new medical instruments, to better diagnose and treat TBI and PTSD.
• Chiarelli also highlighted the need for societal support, acknowledging that civilians, such as those affected by natural disasters, can also suffer from PTSD and TBI, and that learning from the military's experiences can benefit society as a whole.

Statistics:

• 162 suicides in the U.S. Army in 2010, a force of 725,000.
• 156 soldiers committed suicide in the U.S. Army in 2010, with almost 50% having seen a behavioral health specialist.
• The Army is working to develop a biomarker to diagnose concussion and TBI.
• The general expressed concerns that civilians affected by natural disasters, like tornadoes, may also suffer from PTSD and TBI.

Sources:

• CNN's "State of the Union" interview with General Peter Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, on May 29, 2011.
• Federal News Service, Inc. (c) 2011.