STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SEC. 723. STUDY OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. (a) Study Required.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of mental health services available to members of the Armed Forces.(b) Persons Covered.—The study shall evaluate the availability and effectiveness of existing mental health treatment and screening resources—(1) for members of the Armed Forces during a deployment to a combat theater;(2) for members of the Armed Forces returning from a deployment to a combat theater, both—(A) in the short-term, post-deployment period; and(B) in the long-term, following the post-deployment period;(3) for the families of members of the Armed Forces who have been deployed to a combat theater during the time of the deployment;(4) for the families of members of the Armed Forces who have been deployed to a combat theater after the member has returned from the deployment; and118 STAT. 1990(5) for members of the Armed Forces and their families described in this subsection who are members of reserve components. (c) Assessment of Obstacles.—The study shall provide an assessment of existing obstacles that prevent members of the Armed Forces and military families in need of mental health services from obtaining these services, including—(1) the extent to which existing confidentiality regulations, or lack thereof, inhibit members of the Armed Forces from seeking mental health treatment;(2) the implications that a decision to seek mental health services can have on a military career;(3) the extent to which a social stigma exists within the Armed Forces that prevents members of the Armed Forces and military families from seeking mental health treatment within the Department of Defense and the individual Armed Forces;(4) the extent to which logistical obstacles, particularly with respect to members of the Armed Forces and families residing in rural areas, deter members in need of mental health services from obtaining them; and(5) the extent to which members of the Armed Forces and their families are prevented or hampered from obtaining mental health treatment due to the cost of such services.(d) Identification of Problems Unique to Reserves.—The study shall identify potential problems in obtaining mental health treatment that are unique to members of Reserve components. (e) Report.—The Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under this section not later than March 31, 2005. The report shall contain the results of the study and make specific recommendations—(1) for improving the effectiveness and accessibility of mental health services provided by Department of Defense to the persons listed in subsection (b), including recommendations to ensure appropriate referrals and a seamless transition to the care of the Department of Veterans Affairs following separation from the Armed Forces; and(2) for removing or mitigating any obstacles identified under subsection (c) and problems identified under subsection (d).