We now have legislation in both the House and Senate that requires mental health screening for troops before and after they go into combat.

U.S. Reps. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., and Mike Thompson, D-Calif., introduced legislation in the House that would require a face-to-face mental health screening for all soldiers before they are deployed on a combat mission, after their tour and every six months for two years following their return. The bill is a companion measure to legislation introduced in the Senate by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., last month.

The story titled “Rehberg seeks troop counseling” is here.

If you want to know why two Congressmen from Montana have sponsored the bill, you can read the first chapter of Faces of Combat here.

This is a good start for finding people who need help. It does not guarantee that they will be able to get the help they need. We are going to continue this crusade until appropriate health care is available. Many voices are required, including yours. Please help.

Letter from Tom Blaschko to President Obama. (PDF)
Letter from Tom Blaschko to Garry Trudeau. (PDF)

On May 20 Eric is Eric is a panelist for National Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse.