News release: “Every dollar invested in evidence-based care for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with untreated mental health disorders results in $2.50 in savings over two years, according to a new report, Meeting the Behavioral Health Needs of Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, released by the National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council). The report finds that if all 210,000 untreated veterans with PTSD and/or major depression received appropriate treatment, the $481 million investment would result in more than $1.2 billion in cost savings. To meet the unmet mental health needs of veterans, the report suggests expanding the role and funding of the nation’s network of community behavioral health centers. Currently 27 percent (657,000) veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are using community-based care. More veterans are moving from DOD-provided services to VA-provided services to community-based services. By 2014, 40 percent (970,000 veterans) will be using community-based care. As the nation’s specialists in treating mental health and addiction disorders, community-based centers are committed to outreach to returning veterans and to providing evidence-based care.”