(May 4, 2007)—The war in Iraq is taking a mental health toll on the Marines and soldiers on the front lines, a Pentagon report released Friday finds.

One-third of the soldiers and Marines in combat in Iraq report they have experienced anxiety, depression and acute stress.

And soldiers deployed repeatedly or more than six months at a time were more likely to screen positive for mental health issues, the report said.

The study also examined battlefield ethics and found that more than a third of the 1,300 soldiers and 450 Marines assessed said torture show be allowed to save the lives of fellow troops.

Click Here For Redacted MHAT IV Report

Major Findings
(Source: DOD)

Soldiers who deployed longer (greater than six months) or had deployed multiple times were more likely to screen positive for a mental health issue.

Approximately 10 percent of soldiers reported mistreating non-combatants or damaging their property when it was not necessary.

Less than half of soldiers and Marines would report a team member for unethical behavior.

More than one-third of all soldiers and Marines reported that torture should be allowed to save the life of a fellow soldier or Marine.

Soldiers experienced mental health problems at a higher rate than Marines.

Deployment length was directly linked to morale problems in the Army.

Leadership is key to maintaining soldier and Marine mental health.

Both soldiers and Marines reported at relatively high rates - 62 and 66 percent, respectively - that they knew someone seriously injured or killed, or that a member of their team had become a casualty.

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