At Screening of “Wartorn, 1861-2010”

Panel Notes Progress in Fight Against Post-traumatic Stress

Oct. 29, 2010 – A panel of experts last night noted significant progress in the efforts of the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments to help servicemembers, veterans and their families affected by post-traumatic stress disorder.

At a special screening of the HBO documentary “Wartorn, 1861-2010” at the Pentagon Auditorium, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey noted that the percentage of servicemembers who avoid seeking psychological treatment because of a perceived stigma attached to asking for help has dropped from 90 percent to 50 percent.

Casey’s frequent assertion that building servicemembers’ emotional resilience is just as important as their physical conditioning – known in the Army as comprehensive soldier fitness -- captured the essence of a panel discussion by medical and military experts following the documentary screening.

Panelists who took the stage to discuss how to treat PTSD were Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff; Dr. Katie Chard, director of the PTSD and anxiety disorders clinic at Cincinnati Veterans Medical Center; Gregory T. Goldstein, program manager for Marine Corps combat and operational stress control; Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Paul W. “Buddy” Bucha; and retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Harbin, a victim of PTSD. Doug Wilson, assistant secretary of Defense for public affairs, and Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary of veterans affairs for public and intergovernmental affairs, served as moderators. {read rest}

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