Report Reveals Sharp Increase in Mental Health Disorders Among Active-Duty Troops

A recent report from the Defense Health Agency indicates that diagnoses of mental health disorders among active-duty U.S. service members have increased by nearly 40% in the past five years. The study, published by the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, examined data from 2019 to 2023 and uncovered notable rises in anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which collectively represented the largest proportion of new cases.

The report indicates that diagnoses of anxiety and PTSD almost doubled during this period, yet it does not link the increase to a specific cause. The COVID-19 pandemic, occurring during this period, is referenced as a possible contributing factor.

In 2023, mental health disorders emerged as the primary reason for hospitalizations among active-duty personnel, accounting for 54.8% of all hospital bed days. The study utilized data obtained from the Defense Medical Surveillance System and the Theater Medical Data Store.

From 2019 to 2023, a total of 541,672 active-duty service members from all branches—including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force—received a diagnosis of at least one mental health disorder. Almost half of these individuals, around 255,000, received diagnoses for multiple mental health conditions.

The report disclosed a total of 966,227 individual mental health diagnoses over the five-year span, highlighting the increasing psychological burden encountered by active-duty troops. With the rise of mental health issues leading to more hospitalizations, military leaders might need to consider innovative approaches to enhance and support the well-being of service members.

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