Screening for Brain Injury Is Set for Illinois Veterans
Due to the lack of response from the federal government regarding an increased number of returning soldiers suffering from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder, the legislators of Illinois took matters into their own hands Tuesday.
Illinois became the first state to implement mandatory brain screenings for the state’s National Guards veterans returning home from Iraq or Afghanistan. The plan will also offer the screening to other veterans in the state and will include a 24-hour hot line providing psychological counseling to veterans of all military branches. This new plan will also include post screenings, three to six months after the initial return home.
While I wish the federal government would realize the need for increased support and mandatory screenings, I’m glad to see that at least for the meantime we are able to begin to correct this problem. I only hope that other states follow in Illinois path, and soon enough mandatory screenings and increased support will be a nation-wide initiative.
You can read an article in Tuesday’s New York Times detailing Illinois’ plan here.