To require the Secretary of Defense to report on the numbers and percentages of troops that have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan who have been prescribed antidepressants or drugs to treat anxiety.

1. Adds SEC. 724. PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR TROOPS SERVING IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN at the end of subtitle C of title VII

   Adds a section

   In S. 1390 · Placed on Calendar Senate

   (c) Report.--Not later than April 1, 2010, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the study required under subsection (a). The report shall include such findings and recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate in light of the study.

   Inserted: SEC. 724. PRESCRIPTION OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR TROOPS SERVING IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

   Inserted: (a) Report.--

   Inserted: (1) In general.--Not later than June 30, 2010, and annually thereafter until June 30, 2015, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the prescription of antidepressants and drugs to treat anxiety for troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

   Inserted: (2) Content.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall include--

   Inserted: (A) the numbers and percentages of troops that have served or are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan since January 1, 2005, who have been prescribed antidepressants or drugs to treat anxiety, including psychotropic drugs such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs); and

   Inserted: (B) the policies and patient management practices of the Department of Defense with respect to the prescription of such drugs.

   Inserted: (b) National Institute of Mental Health Study.--

   Inserted: (1) Study.--The National Institute of Mental Health shall conduct a study on the potential relationship between the increased number of suicides and attempted suicides by members of the Armed Forces and the increased number of antidepressants, drugs to treat anxiety, other psychotropics, and other behavior modifying prescription medications being prescribed, including any combination or interactions of such prescriptions. The Department of Defense shall immediately make available to the National Institute of Mental Health all data necessary to complete the study.

   Inserted: (2) Report on findings.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the study conducted pursuant to paragraph (1).

   Original wording

   At the end of subtitle C of title VII, add the following:

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As printed