WHAT? WHAT! WHAT?

from the AP via MSN

Suicidal troops sent into battle

U.S. military troops with severe psychological problems have been sent to Iraq or kept in combat, even when superiors have been aware of signs of mental illness, a newspaper reported for Sunday editions.

The Hartford Courant, citing records obtained under the federal Freedom of Information Act and more than 100 interviews of families and military personnel, reported numerous cases in which the military failed to follow its own regulations in screening, treating and evacuating mentally unfit troops from Iraq.

Click here (I hope it works this time) for full article.

The rest of the article states that sometimes the military feeds these severely depressed soldiers antidepressants and sends them back out to the field with little or no monitoring. It also says that because recruiting levels are down the military has to weigh "the needs of the Army, the needs of the mission, with the soldiers’ personal needs.” And that commanders, not psychologists are in charge of who stays and who goes-- often retaining a really disturbed soldier because they don't want other soldiers thinking that acting crazy will get them sent home.

Dear God, this article is disturbing on so many levels I am not sure how to begin.

I'll give it a shot-- It is cruel and unusual to send mentally ill/unstable people into battle. Period. According to this report, it appears that they are also sending soldiers with severe PTSD back into battle. Beyond the cruelty, what about poor strategy to win a war. This particular war, as we have been reminded over and over again, is no ordinary war. It isn't "he who has the most men on the board, wins." So how can we possibly do any good if half of our troops are looking at their gun and trying to decide if it will fit in their mouths? And has anyone heard of suicide by police? Suicide by enemy army makes you a hero. I don't mean to be crude. This is certainly no laughing matter, but the action is so ridiculous.

Beyond the military failure we seem to be embracing by sending these men and women into battle, what about the hit the mental health community must be taking? "Oh, severe depression. You know what'lll fix you right up-- a prozac and 12 months in Iraq. Followed by a few months at home and then a second tour of Iraq. We can get you plenty more Zoloft." How can therapists discuss the good or bad of antidepressants anymore? The military says all you need is regular dosing and you are fit for combat-- day-to-day life will be no problem.

This little story also gets me thinking about the American desire for a quick cure all. Depression fixed with a pill and a semi-automatic machine gun in a country far away from anyone you love in an environment that sees depression as a sign of weakness. God bless America.

I am going to go to bed and cry.