Noteboom The Law Firm

Technology Used to Locate and Treat Suffering Soldiers

June 29, 2010 - Thousands of veterans cycle back to the United States following their deployments suffering from both physical and mental traumas. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) top the list as being the most prevalent mental health problems from which soldiers suffer. No existing standard diagnosis for TBI means many veterans are walking around suffering from undiagnosed brain trauma.

The Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the military branches are using digital technology to help these soldiers. Each branch, and the VHA, makes concerted and determined efforts to use new technology platforms to find military personnel suffering from PTSD and TBI so they can treat them.

One major issue with the younger generation of injured veterans is convincing them to seek out treatment. There are many veterans who are aware help exists, but they do not seek it out. The standard reason for this phenomenon is because of the shame associated with suffering from a mental health problem.

Studies found this younger generation of veterans responds much better to digital technology such as webcams and Skype than they do to in-person mental health counselors. Accordingly, the military practiced what it preached: it adapted, found a new avenue of approach, and began using digital technology to reach these younger veterans. The advantages of using the Internet in such a way became readily apparent:  

• Younger veterans are more comfortable being online and talking;
• It makes it much easier to locate soldiers in more rural environments;
• Allows veterans to receive health care despite a lack of local health care workers

The Army, for example, uses an Internet-based Global Accessing Tool to provide online mental health screenings for soldiers returning from deployments. Coupled with this is an Internet-based chat line where soldiers can discuss issues causing stress in their life. While every branch has their own program, they are all geared towards the same purpose: locate and help veterans suffering from mental trauma.