Politics & Government

POLL: Is the Army, Federal Government Doing Enough To Help Soldiers With Mental Health Problems?

The recent killing of 16 Afghan civilians, allegedly by a Joint Base Lewis-McChord staff sergeant, has raised questions about whether returning soldiers with mental health problems are getting enough attention. We put the question to you, Patch users.

The recent nighttime killing of 16 Afghanistan civilians, allegedly by a Joint Base Lewis-McChord staff sergeant, is prompting questions about whether the Army is doing enough to help soldiers returning from war with mental health issues.

The lawyer for Robert Bales, the Lake Tapps man accused of the killings, says his client suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and did not want to be redeployed on the mission in which he allegedly killed innocent Afghans.

The News Tribune reports that neighbors didn't see any outward signs of Bales, 38, suffering problems with mental illness. for failing to properly care for mentally ill soldiers.

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So we put the question to you, Patch users. Do you feel the federal government does enough to care for returning soldiers who are suffering from mental health problems? Take our poll and talk about it in the comments section.


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