KPLU Local News
(2009-03-17)
LARAMIE, WY
(wpr) -
Wyoming is among only a handful of states deploying a mental health provider with its National Guard Soldiers. About a thousand Wyoming soldiers are headed to Kuwait and Iraq this summer. One of them is a mental health professional with years of experience treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The counselor is training alongside the Wyoming soldiers and will be embedded with them during their tour. The unit's commander, Colonel Richard Knowlton, says this is a good idea. "If a soldier knows that individual and recognizes them and has a relationship with them," he said, "when they have something come up, they'll be much more ready to go and seek help."Wyoming Public Radio contacted twenty-four other states' National Guards and found only five that deploy mental health providers. Spokespersons for other state Guards said a dedicated mental health position is only cost-effective during large deployments. © Copyright 2012, wpr
