FY2024 NDAA: Military Mental Health Care and Research Provisions (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised Jan. 19, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IN12242 |
| Report Type |
Insight |
| Authors |
Bryce H. P. Mendez |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Congress authorizes, through the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Department of
Defense (DOD) mental health programs and services that support servicemembers, military retirees, and
their families. DOD administers mental health programs that offer education; awareness; crisis prevention
resources; clinical treatment; nonclinical support and counseling services; and research and development.
DOD has estimated that 456,293 active duty servicemembers were diagnosed with at least one mental
health disorder from 2016 through 2020. Mental health disorders also accounted for the highest number of
hospital bed days and were the second most common reason for outpatient visits among servicemembers.
During the same time period, adjustment disorders, anxiety disorders, and depressive disorders composed
the majority (64%) of mental health diagnoses.
DOD has made a range of efforts to address the wide range of mental health issues, and potential
opportunities for improvement have been highlighted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO),
DOD Inspector General (DODIG), and other observers of military health. Table 1 lists the military mental
health care and research-related provisions included in the House-passed (H.R. 2670) and Senate-passed
(S. 2226) versions of an FY2024 NDAA.
