Why veterans lack sufficient mental healthcare: 6 things to know

The quality and accessibility of mental health services varies across the Veterans Affairs health system, leaving many recent war veterans with unmet mental health needs, according to a congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

To evaluate the VA health system's mental health services quality, the report surveyed veterans of recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Here are six things to know about the report.

1. The survey found approximately half of those who may have a need for mental healthcare do not use VA or non-VA services, which reveals a large portion of veterans do not receive any treatment for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorder or depression.

2. Additionally, the report found over half of veterans who screened for having a mental healthcare need do not recognize a need for mental health services.

3. Veterans who have a mental healthcare need and have not sought VA mental health services said they did not seek care because they do not know how to apply for VA mental healthcare benefits, are unsure whether they are eligible or are not aware the VA offers these benefits. 

4. The survey found lack of transportation options to medical facilities, concerns about taking time off work and fears of discrimination contribute to why veterans do not receive mental health services.

5. Although many veterans who are aware of VA mental health services said accessing them is burdensome, a majority of veterans surveyed who use these services reported positive experiences. These experiences included availability of services, privacy and confidentiality of medical records, ease of using VA mental healthcare and the staff's courtesy toward patients.

6. The VA should aim to become a reliable provider of high-quality mental healthcare services throughout its system within three to five years, the report said.  To develop these services, the VA should address ways to facilitate timely access to patient-centered care, hire and retain diverse staff, expand virtual care technology use and overcome infrastructure barriers to patient access, such as lack of parking.  

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.

 

Featured Whitepapers

Featured Webinars