Division mental health in the new brigade combat team structure: part I. Predeployment and deployment.

OBJECTIVE Recent Army transformation has led to significant changes in roles and demands for division mental health (DMH) staff members. This article focuses on predeployment and deployment. METHODS Surveillance of Combat and Operational Stress Reactions data, review of DMH implementation plans, and observations by staff members, providers, and soldiers were reviewed. RESULTS During the course of the deployment, the Task Force Baghdad DMH unit had >22,000 soldier encounters with 5,542 clinical encounters. The duration of the deployment and increased levels of threat later in the deployment resulted in increased stress problems but not a substantial or sustained increase in mental health casualties. CONCLUSIONS Predeployment education and communication probably eliminated some problems during deployment, and communication among mental health and command units during deployment resolved most problems encountered.