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We await the results of the 20-year, 10,000-family-strong study of impacts on Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ kin, the largest of its kind ever conducted, that just got under way. Meanwhile, René Robichaux, social-work programs manager for US Army Medical Command, concedes that “in a family system, every member of that system is going to be impacted, most often in a negative way, by mental-health issues.” That was the impetus for the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, which since 2005 has added 70 therapists to military installations around the country. Mostly what the program provides is couples’ counseling. Children are “usually not” treated, but, when necessary, referred to child psychiatrists—of which the Army has 31. Meanwhile, the Child, Adolescent and Family Behavioral Health Office has trained hundreds of counselors in schools with Army children in and around bases to try to identify and treat coping and behavioral problems early on. “We’re better than we were,” Robichaux says. “But we still have a way to go.”

• This section contains a combination of several types of claims. It makes a Factual claim by presenting statistics and data about the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, including the addition of 70 therapists to military installations since 2005 and the availability of 31 child psychiatrists within the Army. René Robichaux’s assertion about the impact of mental health issues within family systems categorizes the effects, making it a Categorical claim. He suggests that every member of a family system is negatively impacted by mental health issues. The passage also implies a Causal claim by suggesting that the recognition of the negative impact of mental health issues on family members prompted the establishment of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Finally, Robichaux’s statement that “We’re better than we were” evaluates the progress made in addressing mental health needs within military families, making it an Evaluative claim. He acknowledges improvement while also indicating that further progress is needed.

Of course, the Army only helps families of active-duty personnel. It’s the Department of Veterans Affairs that’s charged with treating the problems that can persist long past discharge. But “if you asked the VA to treat your kids, they would think it was nonsense,” says Hofstra’s Motta.

• This section is a part of the Attributive ClaimIt attributes a belief or perspective to a certain group or entity. Specifically, it suggests that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) would not consider treating the children of veterans for mental health issues, as indicated by the statement attributed to Hofstra’s Motta.

When I asked the VA if the organization would treat kids for secondary trauma, its spokespeople stressed that it has made great strides in family services in recent years, rolling out its own program for couples’ counseling and parenting training. “Our goal is to make the parents the strongest parents they can be,” says Susan McCutcheon, national director for Family Services, Women’s Mental Health, and Military Sexual Trauma at the VA; according to Shirley Glynn, a VA clinical research psychologist who was also on the call, “for the vast majority of people with the secondary traumatization model, the most important way to help the family deal with things is to ensure that the veteran gets effective treatment.” In cases where children themselves need treatment, these VA officials recommended that parents find psychologists themselves, though they note “this is a good time [for the VA] to make partners with the community so we can make good referrals.” Or basically: “You’re on your own,” says Brannan.

• This section contains a combination of several claims.it has Factual Claim The passage presents factual information about the VA’s efforts in family services, such as the rollout of programs for couples’ counseling and parenting training. Categorical Claim Susan McCutcheon and Shirley Glynn’s assertions categorize the VA’s approach to treating secondary trauma in families. They suggest that the focus is on strengthening parents and ensuring veterans receive effective treatment. Evaluative Claim Brannan’s statement, “You’re on your own,” evaluates the level of support provided by the VA to families dealing with secondary trauma. It implies a lack of assistance or guidance from the VA in finding treatment for children.