DoD Expands Mental Health Screening

Week of December 25, 2006

The Department of Defense has issued improved policy guidance for military personnel with deployment-limiting psychiatric conditions, and for those who are prescribed psychiatric medications. While not altering or replacing existing accession, retention, and general fitness for duty standards, the new guidance standardizes deployment-related mental health policy across the Service branches. The guidelines stipulate that few medications are inherently disqualifying for deployment. However, lithium and anticonvulsants to control manic-depressive bipolar illness are considered disqualifying medications, as are antipsychotic drugs for psychotic, bipolar and chronic insomnia symptoms. To view the entire policy guidance, view the Policy Guidance PDF.

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