FORT DRUM - A critical report on the mental health care provided at the U.S. Army's Fort Drum highlighted previously identified shortcomings and incorrectly characterized other facets of support being provided to soldiers, 10th Mountain Division officials said Thursday.
The report released Wednesday by the Washington, D.C.-based Veterans for America cited problems with understaffing, a reliance on self-reporting of mental health problems and a prevailing attitude at the company level that treats mental health issues in an atmosphere of secrecy, shame and doubt.
It also claimed that some soldiers had to wait up to two months before they were seen by doctors.
“Are our processes as effective as we would like? No, but we're working hard and we remain fully committed as an Army and post to address our soldiers and family needs,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, the division commander. “Helping our soldiers overcome the challenges of continued service in a time of war remains one of our top priorities.”
Among its recommendations, the report urged Fort Drum to establish more proactive mental health screening and treatment capabilities.
That shortcoming was recognized by Fort Drum medical staff in early 2007 and has already been addressed through temporary personnel realignments until permanent additions can be made, said Col. Jerome Penner III, Fort Drum's Medical Department commander.
Both Penner and Oates disputed that soldiers were not receiving timely care.
Oates noted that the post has a permanent mental health staff of four psychiatrists, six psychologists, three registered psychiatric nurses and four licensed clinical social workers.
Additionally, said Penner, the report failed to mention that Fort Drum has a unique partnership with three regional health care facilities to provide specialty care and inpatient treatment.
“As a result ... waiting times for routine appointments are very manageable at 1-2 weeks, contrary to the assertions in the report. Fort Drum has always maintained the ability to handle acute or immediate appointments on a same day basis,” said Penner.
The report was based on interviews with a dozen unnamed soldiers.
“While we don't believe 12 random soldiers represent a valid sample of our entire population, we do agree that our soldiers are having challenges,” said Lt. Col. Paul Swiergosz, the division spokesman. “We welcome the opinions of outside interest groups, but we're more interested in well-researched solutions to these problems.”
It also claimed that some soldiers had to wait up to two months before they were seen by doctors.
“Are our processes as effective as we would like? No, but we're working hard and we remain fully committed as an Army and post to address our soldiers and family needs,” said Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, the division commander. “Helping our soldiers overcome the challenges of continued service in a time of war remains one of our top priorities.”
Among its recommendations, the report urged Fort Drum to establish more proactive mental health screening and treatment capabilities.
That shortcoming was recognized by Fort Drum medical staff in early 2007 and has already been addressed through temporary personnel realignments until permanent additions can be made, said Col. Jerome Penner III, Fort Drum's Medical Department commander.
Both Penner and Oates disputed that soldiers were not receiving timely care.
Oates noted that the post has a permanent mental health staff of four psychiatrists, six psychologists, three registered psychiatric nurses and four licensed clinical social workers.
Additionally, said Penner, the report failed to mention that Fort Drum has a unique partnership with three regional health care facilities to provide specialty care and inpatient treatment.
“As a result ... waiting times for routine appointments are very manageable at 1-2 weeks, contrary to the assertions in the report. Fort Drum has always maintained the ability to handle acute or immediate appointments on a same day basis,” said Penner.
The report was based on interviews with a dozen unnamed soldiers.
“While we don't believe 12 random soldiers represent a valid sample of our entire population, we do agree that our soldiers are having challenges,” said Lt. Col. Paul Swiergosz, the division spokesman. “We welcome the opinions of outside interest groups, but we're more interested in well-researched solutions to these problems.”
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