The Uncounted Casualties of War

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Aug 2, 2007 U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jeffrey Lucey is not counted among the Iraq war dead. But he did die, when he came home. He committed suicide. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Gonzales Among Defendants in Iraq Vets’ PTSD Suit

Staff / Truthdig Jul 24, 2007 With the problem of post-traumatic stress disorder on the rise among American veterans returning from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan, two veterans' groups have filed a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (pictured) and other defendants, citing systemwide failures in dealing with the PTSD crisis on the governmental level. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Remembering Manny Babbitt

Staff / Truthdig Jul 18, 2007 The Army has just launched a campaign to educate soldiers and officers about post-traumatic stress disorder and brain injuries. Unfortunately, this relatively minor gesture of recognition that these two debilitating conditions need major attention comes too late for veterans like Manny Babbitt, whose nightmares didn't end -- even long after his tour of duty did. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Army Schools Soldiers on PTSD, Brain Injury

Staff / Truthdig Jul 18, 2007 The U.S. Army is starting a corps-wide push to educate soldiers on all levels about the signs and symptoms of brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both of which are taking major tolls on active troops and veterans from the Iraq war. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdigger of the Week: Gen. William Odom

Staff / Truthdig Jul 8, 2007 Truthdig tips its hat this week to William Odom, a retired three-star general who has proved his patriotism and loyalty to U.S. troops serving in Iraq by truly keeping their best interests at heart and advocating for their mental and physical well-being -- as well as for their speedy and safe withdrawal from Iraq. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Army (Finally) Hires More Shrinks

Staff / Truthdig Jun 15, 2007 The Army plans to hire roughly 200 additional mental health workers to help care for ailing soldiers. Thirty-five percent of troops seek mental health care a year after coming home and between 15 and 20 percent of soldiers in Iraq show signs of post-traumatic stress. The latest Pentagon study found military mental health care to be inadequate. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Overseer: Rep. Henry Waxman

Staff / Truthdig May 31, 2007 Rep. Henry Waxman, who more than any other politician is fulfilling the Democrats' election promise to bring good governance and oversight back to Washington, tells Truthdig about Iraq corruption, the tragedy of post-traumatic stress disorder, and why it's only a matter of time before Congress -- Republicans included -- pulls the plug on the war. Dig deeper ( 11 Min. Read )

A Warrior’s Tragic Downfall

Staff / Truthdig Apr 7, 2007 A munitions explosion in Iraq took away Sam Ross' eyesight, left leg and half of his ability to hear. That trauma would eventually lead to 17 suicide attempts and charges of arson and attempted homicide. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Vet Blogs From Within Walter Reed

Staff / Truthdig Mar 14, 2007 A wounded soldier is giving the world an insider's view of life at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center with his new blog, This Veteran's Life, and the view isn't pretty. Here's a little taste to set the tone: "Maybe this will give me a place to scream into the void when my screams fall on deaf ears." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Padilla Trial to Go Forward

Staff / Truthdig Mar 1, 2007 Jose Padilla has been ruled competent to stand trial, a rebuke to his lawyers. The defense had sought to have him treated for PTSD before the trial began. Padilla has been held in isolation for three and a half years, during which time he was subjected to varying kinds of interrogation and, very likely, torture. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Read the Fine Print

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Feb 20, 2007 Dig deeper

Casualties From the Battle Over PTSD

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2007 Pvt. Jacob Burgoyne was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and ordered to a psychiatric facility, but the Army sent him home instead. Shortly thereafter, Burgoyne stabbed a fellow soldier 32 times and set his body aflame because, he said, "that's how we disposed of bodies in Iraq." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )