Being a Diplomat May Be Risky for Your Mental Health
It's not easy being an American diplomat these days. Not only is America's image in the world taking a consistent beating, but it can also be downright dangerous, as the recent threat from al-Qaida showed. And now an internal State Department survey shows that it can also really mess up your mind.
The Associated Press reports that the document shows that 2 percent of the 2,600 diplomats who serve in locations where spouses and dependents are not allowed for security reasons likely have post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 15 percent "possibly have this disorder but would require a more thorough examination to make a definitive diagnosis."
But the union that represents U.S. diplomats, the American Foreign Service Association, argues the survey underplays the number of these cases that occur in places like Baghdad or Kabul. AFSA says its information shows that 40 percent of diplomats, especially those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, "struggle to readjust to civilian life and suffer from stress disorders, including thoughts of suicide."
The State Department questions some of AFSA's numbers but also announced today that it plans to create a new mental care office and require employees to take more vacation time to relax.
I confess there are days when I worry that the war in Afghanistan and Iraq is creating a whole generation of mental health problems for this country.
5:58 PM ET | 08-14-2007 | permalink
