The Navy and Marine Corps are sending teams of mental health professionals to the frontlines.

The move comes after studies showed a jump in the past five years in cases of combat-related mental health disorders.

Psychologists and psychiatrists have long treated military service members on bases and in field hospitals.

But the deployment of teams of psychological professionals - one per regiment - this month marks a new approach in identifying and treating mental health before problems arise.

The Army adopted a similar approach last year, and has been deploying behavioral health specialists to patrol with its troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-02-10-08 1446EST