Army may stop notifying COs of counseling

[unhappycamper]

Army may stop notifying COs of counseling
By Gregg Zoroya - USA TODAY
Posted : Monday Jan 12, 2009 18:50:45 EST

WASHINGTON — Army leaders are proposing to end a longtime policy that requires a commanding officer be notified when a soldier voluntarily seeks counseling in hopes of encouraging more GIs to seek aid, according to Army Secretary Pete Geren.

The potential move comes as combat deployments have been linked with increased alcohol abuse, and the Army Substance Abuse Program is straining to keep pace.

The proposal being worked out between Army personnel and medical commanders is “an important part of a comprehensive effort to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health care and to encourage more soldiers to seek treatment,” Geren says in a statement to USA TODAY on Friday.

Geren’s efforts come as the number of soldiers seeking help for substance abuse has hit record levels. In November, USA TODAY reported that the number of soldiers asking for counseling has increased 25 percent in five years.

The Army, however, can’t meet the growing demand. One-fourth of the 338 Army drug counseling positions are unfilled, spokeswoman Cynthia Vaughan says.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/gns_counseling_army_011209/%2e