DOD establishes mental health task force Published June 21, 2006 WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The formation of a congressionally directed task force to examine matters related to mental health and the armed forces was announced June 21 by Defense Department officials. "This is an extremely important effort involving a collaboration of DOD, federal and private sector experts in mental health," said Dr. William Winkenwerder Jr., assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. The Mental Health Task Force, comprising of seven DOD members and seven non-DOD members, will submit a report to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in May. It will include assessments and recommendations for improving the efficacy of mental health services provided to service members by DOD and will begin meeting in July. "High on the list will be steps for improving the awareness of potential mental health conditions among service personnel and ways to improve the access and efficacy of our existing programs," Dr. Winkenwerder said. Congress directed the establishment of the task force as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2006. The Army surgeon general, Lt. Gen. Kevin C. Kiley, and a non-DOD representative, to be elected by the task force membership, will co-chair the task force. "Because of the very challenging timeline established for the task force to do its work, the Armed Forces Epidemiology Board will support and serve as its parent organization," Dr. Winkenwerder said. The Armed Forces Epidemiology Board is an ongoing independent scientific advisory committee to the secretary of defense through the assistant secretary for health affairs and the military surgeon generals. It deals with matters concerning operational programs, policy development and research needs for the prevention of disease and promotion of health. Check the DOD Mental Health Task Force Web site for more information.