Gates: Mental care should be private

WASHINGTON, June 22 (UPI) -- Efforts to remove obstacles between U.S. troops and appropriate mental health care got a big boost this week.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants the federal government to remove mental health treatment history questions from security clearance applications.

He told Pentagon reporters Thursday that some members of the military avoid seeking treatment for post-traumatic stress symptoms because they fear it will prevent them from getting a security clearance and therefore promotions or a job as a civilian in the government.

The Pentagon last week released a study and raft of recommendations to improve mental health treatment in the military.

"One change I support and will very aggressively pursue is removing the question about mental health treatment from the security clearance questionnaire -- a government-wide form. Too many avoid seeking mental health help because of fear of losing their security clearance," said Gates.

"Fixing" health care for wounded troops -- including those with psychological trauma -- is Gates' highest priority, after the Iraq and Afghan wars, he said.

The psychological effects of the two wars are being widely felt. Forty-nine percent of National Guard soldiers, 38 percent of active duty Army soldiers and 31 percent of Marines report psychological symptoms after a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon report.

"if you break your leg, it's not your fault; if you get cancer, it's not your fault; (and) if you have a post-traumatic stress reaction, it's not your fault," said Vice Adm. Donald Arthur, the U.S. Navy Surgeon General, at a press conference last week. "I think it's up to leadership to say to folks that post-traumatic stress reactions are an absolutely normal part of combat operations."