FORT DRUM — Installation officials said the report published Wednesday by Veterans for America on the post's behavioral health systems "mischaracterizes important facets of support" it provides for soldiers.

"We welcome the opinions of outside interest groups, but we're more interested in well-researched solutions to these problems," Fort Drum Public Affairs Officer Lt. Col. Paul J. Swiergosz said in a press release Wednesday.

The report, titled "Fort Drum: A Great Burden: Inadequate Assistance," said the post's behavioral health system has several shortcomings, including long waits for doctor visits and the use of self-reporting to identify mental health problems.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D- N.Y., said she was "deeply concerned" by the report and urged Fort Drum to implement measures to improve post-deployment screening and expand access to behavioral health care.

According to the report, some soldiers have had to wait up to two months for behavioral health appointments because of a shortage of health care providers on post.

Fort Drum disputed this statement and Col. Jerome Penner III, the Medical Department activity commander, said in a press release Wednesday that wait times averaged one to two weeks.

Officials said Fort Drum realized last year that it had a shortage of behavioral health professionals on staff and three psychiatrists were sent from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., to assist with treatment. The installation acknowledged that those doctors were assigned only temporarily, but said they would remain at Fort Drum until permanent hires could be made.

"Overall, the response to care for the short-term behavioral health needs of the two returning brigade combat teams was timely," Col. Penner said. The 2nd and 3rd Brigades both returned from deployments last year.

Officials also said while the post does not have an on-site hospital, it does have agreements with three area hospitals — Samaritan Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital and Lewis County General Hospital — to provide specialty care and inpatient treatment for soldiers.

"That capacity, coupled with increased support from Army and post officials has increased the availability of care to Fort Drum soldiers and their family members," the press release said.

Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor, said the issues identified at Fort Drum, both in mental health care and in the workings between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Defense Department, are obvious, and not necessarily restricted to Drum or the Army.

"We know what the challenges have been," said Mr. McHugh, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel. "Mental health care is a real challenge across the services."

Officials have noted the challenge in rural areas, specifically, because of the shortage of mental health specialists. Northern New York presents similar difficulties, Mr. McHugh said, although the government has supported the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, a coordinated effort between Fort Drum and north country hospitals.

10th Mountain Division Commander Maj. Gen. Michael L. Oates acknowledged a lack of mental health providers "across America" in the press release and said that made the screening process for behavioral health problems even more important.

He did not respond to the report's criticisms of using questionnaires to identify soldiers who may need treatment, but acknowledged that the system needs improvements.

"Are our processes as effective as we would like?" he asked. "No, but we're working hard and we remain fully committed as an Army and post to address our soldiers' and family needs. Helping our soldiers overcome the challenges of continued service in a time of war remains one of our top priorities."

Times Washington correspondent Marc Heller contributed to this report.