ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS WHO WERE DEPLOYED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

SEC. 735. ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS OF ASSESSMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TASK FORCE ON MENTAL HEALTH RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH OF MEMBERS WHO WERE DEPLOYED IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Section 723(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (Public Law 109–163; 119 Stat. 3348) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:“(4) Mental health needs of members who were deployed in oif or oef.—As part of the assessment required by paragraph (1) of the efficacy of mental health services provided to members of the Armed Forces by the Department of Defense, the task force shall consider the specific needs with respect to mental health of members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom upon their return from such deployment, including the following:“(A) An identification of mental health conditions and disorders (including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide attempts, and suicide) occurring among members who have undergone multiple deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.“(B) An evaluation of the availability to members of assessments under the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program of the Department of Defense to ensure the long-term availability of the diagnostic mechanisms of the assessment to detect mental health conditions that may emerge in such members over time.“(C) The availability of programs and services under the Mental Health Self-Assessment Program to address the mental health of dependent children of members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.“(D) Recommendations on mechanisms for improving the mental health services available to members who were deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, including members who have undergone multiple deployments.”.