Illinois will soon mandate brain-injury screening and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tests for all of its National Guardsmen returning from overseas tours.
The state, the first to require such a checkup, also will offer free screening for mental health issues to any state service member or veteran, including those from past U.S. conflicts, such as the Vietnam War.
"I don't think many returning troops know enough about brain injuries and PTSD, so we need to get that message out to them," said Tammy Duckworth, director of the state's Department of Veterans Affairs. "At the same time, we're getting anecdotal evidence of older veterans who also need our help."
Duckworth and Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced the program July 3, and hope to have the services and screening procedures in place by the end of August.
Defense officials estimate that one in 10 troops in the combat zone will face some type of brain injury.
Researchers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., have said that 60 percent of combat patients treated there since 2003 have faced mild or severe brain trauma.
Long-term effects can range from headaches and forgetfulness to more serious problems, such as seizures.
Last month, about 1,100 Illinois Guardsmen were deployed overseas.
Duckworth, an Illinois Army Guardsman who lost both legs in a helicopter crash in Iraq, said the state's new brain injury screening will be included in their post-deployment schedule.
The state also will set up a hot line, staffed 24 hours a day, for any service member or veteran with questions or concerns about mental health problems.
"That's important, because we don't have many large military bases in Illinois," Duckworth said. "Instead of having a veteran have to drive 100 or 200 miles to get information, they can just make a phone call.
-By Donna Miles
© 2007 National Guard Association of the United States Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Source: National Guard
