Email   Print   Share By Sgt. 1st Class Grisel Rios, Asst. IG, CRDAMC

Facebook Digg Delicious June 7, 2012 | News

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According to Department of Defense Directive 6490.1, a mental health evaluation is a clinical assessment of a service member for a mental, physical or personality disorder, the purpose of which is to determine a service member’s clinical mental health status and/or fitness, and/or suitability for service.

Why would a commander make a referral? They make referrals when:

▪ A Soldier has either expressed or attempted harm to themselves or others.

▪ A commander believes that the service member may be suffering from a severe mental disorder.

▪ A Soldier displays excessive sadness and has had recent behavioral changes.

▪ There are unexplained anger outbursts or isolating themselves from others.

▪ There is a decrease in duty performance.

The Soldier’s commander can make a referral for either an emergency evaluation or a routine referral. The commander shall consult a mental health provider before referring the Soldier for the evaluation.

Emergency referrals are directed when the commander makes a clear and concise judgment that the case constitutes an emergency. The commander’s first priority shall be to protect the service member and any potential victims from harm.

Routine referrals are directed for a non-emergency mental health evaluation. The commander shall ensure that the service member is provided a written memorandum at least two business days before the appointment. U.S. Army Medical Command Regulation 40-38 provides a sample memorandum; Fort Hood Form 280, dated February 2010, provides the required information.

At a minimum this memorandum will include:

▪ A brief description of the behaviors and/or communications which led to the commander’s decision to refer the Soldier for a mental health evaluation.

▪ The name or names of the mental healthcare providers with whom the commander consulted before the referral. If a consultation with a health care provider was not possible, the reason will be included in the memorandum.

▪ Notification of the Service Member’s statement of rights

▪ The date, time and place the mental health evaluation is scheduled and the name and rank of the behavioral health provider who will be conducting the evaluation.

▪ The titles and phone numbers of other authorities who can assist the service member who wishes to question the necessity of the referral.

▪ Name and signature of the commanding officer.

Following a command referral, commanders will receive:

▪ Diagnosis

▪ Prognosis

▪ Recommended treatment plan

▪ Recommendations about precautions

▪ Recommendation for administrative management of the service member

▪ Recommendations regarding restricted access to classified information, if appropriate

▪ Recommendations regarding fitness for duty

No person will restrict a service member from lawfully communicating with an Inspector General, attorney, member of Congress or others about the service member’s referral for a behavioral health evaluation.

If you have any concerns regarding a command-directed mental health evaluation contact your servicing Staff Judge Advocate office or IG. We are here to help.