The US Pentagon has stated that more funds are needed to provide adequate mental health services for members of the US military who are sent into combat in Iraq and Afghanistan

It is being reported that the Pentagon has stated that more funds are needed to treat the mental health of US men and women enlisted in the country's military.

In a statement released on Friday, the Pentagon finds that the US military's mental health system fails to meet the needs of its troops, and is too low on funds and staff to help those men and women sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We concentrate a great deal on physical health; that is how fast can you run a mile, how many sit-ups and push-ups can you do," said Vice Adm. Donald Arthur, who co chaired the task force. "But we don't often concentrate on the psychological health of the service member.

"Anyone who goes into combat knows that you become significantly affected by the experience, and post-traumatic stress reactions are normal. We would like to not have those reactions go on to be disorders," Arthur said.

According to members of a Defense Department, repeatedly sending troops to war zones has driven up the cost of mental health services, and due to shortage of funding, many soldiers are not getting the mental health treatment that they are needing.

Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs stated "I've got to find some funds for this," after the panel urged US Congress should increase funding for mental health services.