Service members returning from combat should be subject to more thorough mental examinations, Rep. Tim Murphy said Sunday in response to last week’s shooting spree at Fort Hood.
The Pennsylvania Republican, a clinical psychiatrist in the Naval Reserves who treats soldiers with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) said the military should beef up its evaluation of troops returning from overseas.
Currently, troops are asked to fill out post-combat questionnaires meant to detect signs of mental issues, Murphy said during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“Many times, service members minimize what they’re saying in terms of there being a problem,” Murphy said. “They need a little more detailed ‘check-up from the neck up,’ as it’s referred to.”
Wednesday’s shooting appears to have been precipitated by a simple dispute over paperwork. But Spc. Ivan Lopez, who killed three people and injured 16 before turning his gun on himself, had reportedly been evaluated for PTSD and was grieving over the deaths of his mother and grandfather.
