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STATE URGES WYOMING DOCTORS TO CHECK VETERANS'

MENTAL HEALTH -- The state wants veterans who have

returned from the Middle East in the past six or seven

years to be screened for PTSD, alcoholism,

depression or traumatic brain injuries.

 

 

For more information on mental health, use the VA Watchdog search engine...click here...
http://www.yourvabenefits.org/ses
search.php?q=mental+health&op=ph

This should be mandated in every state.

Story here... http://www.localnews8.
com/Global/story.asp?S=6870622

Story below:

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State urges doctors to check vets' mental health

Associated Press

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) - The Wyoming Department of Health wants health care professionals across the state to check all recent Middle East war veterans for possible mental health problems.

The state wants veterans who have returned from the Middle East in the past six or seven years to be screened for post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism, depression or traumatic brain injuries.

Brain injuries may be caused by blast waves from explosives.

The department in July sent questionnaires to health care providers to use in screening veterans.

It also sent them a list of mental health resources available in the state.

The state has given providers a code they can use to bill Medicaid for the cost of the screenings.

Doctor James Bush is a physician at the Department of Health.

He says the state wants veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan to be screened and referred to appropriate treatment if necessary.

The screening program was suggested by a task force that has been meeting since April to discuss veterans' mental health and substance abuse issues.

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Larry Scott  --