Helping combat veterans.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS

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From screening to counseling to treatment options, state and federal policymakers are working to help members of the armed forces who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. In a 2008 report from the Army, 27 percent of male non-commissioned officers who were on their third or fourth deployment had post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety, compared to 12 percent who were on their first deployment.

Last year California, Michigan and Wyoming enacted legislation to help screen service members for possible post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

Six states have passed laws to help veterans and their families with counseling and treatment programs. Minnesota has appropriated funds to develop a pilot program for peer-to-peer counseling among combat veterans and to design a treatment program for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Colorado created a three-year mental health services pilot program for the spouses and dependent children of discharged veterans. California authorizes courts to put veterans into treatment programs if the veteran's crime was committed as result of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse or psychological problems stemming from service in combat. Utah is developing a statewide counseling program for service members and their families to help reintegrate the veteran into civilian...