Military's annual physicals now require mental health assessments

Starting this month, all members of the U.S. military will undergo mental health assessments as part of routine annual physicals. 

The assessments, which were mandated by Congress in the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, started Aug. 1. 

Jason Bortz, spokesman for Pensacola Naval Hospital, said the mental health assessments are now part of the standard physicals given at hospitals to area sailors and Marines.

Air Force Col. Brendan Noone, an Eglin Air Force Base physician, said the mental health assessments are also part of routine physicals given to all airmen. 

Noone said the assessment is completed online, with airmen answering a questionnaire.

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