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Commentary on MHAT-IV: Struggling to Reduce the Psychological Impact of War

G. V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center, South Central MIRECC and University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, judith.lyons{at}med.va.gov

Using data from varied surveys and focus groups, the U.S. military's fourth Mental Health Advisory Team report (MHAT-IV) quantifies the heavy burden of family separation, danger, exhaustion, and heartbreaking moral choices borne by combat troops. Recommendations put forth by MHAT-IV are already influencing training, deployment scheduling, and mental health policies. Such efforts to minimize war stress are commendable. MHAT-IV highlights that unit leadership may be key in reducing combat's impact on mental health. Determining ideal deployment length (both per deployment and cumulative) and interdeployment interval may involve factors not addressed by MHAT-IV. Additional variables for consideration in future assessments are suggested, including survivor guilt (particularly in relation to the suicide-prevention buddy system) and sexual trauma. The findings show that troops, behavioral health personnel, and chaplains each belong to somewhat different cultures. Current debates regarding military ethics indicate that optimally integrating these cultures will likely remain a challenge.

Key Words: MHAT-IV • combat stress • military medicine • deployment

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Traumatology, Vol. 13, No. 4, 40-45 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1534765607309943


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Lyons, J. A. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?