Some 150 mental health advocates, members of the military and their spouses gathered today to talk about the impacts of war on Hawai'i's soldiers and how services can be improved to address their needs.

The talk, which touched on post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, child behavior issues, domestic violence and sex assault, was designed to kick off the formation of a statewide task force on mental health issues in deployed soldiers.

The task force will look at active-duty military and reservists.

Marya Grambs, executive director of Mental Health America of Hawai'i, which organized the forum at the Makiki Catholic Charities headquarters, said soldiers and their families are facing incredible stressors as they prepare for war and when they return.

Making sure they have access to services -- and are directed to services -- is vital, she said.

"We need to talk about what is facing all of these soldiers, and what needs aren't being met," Grambs said.

The forum included a panel of experts, including Laura Wheeler, Hawaii National Guard's state family program director, and Dr. Michael Faran, of the child and adolescent psychiatry department at Tripler Army Medical Center.