Prevalence of Mental Health Problems Among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Who Have and Have Not Received VA Services

Christine Anne Vaughan, Terry L. Schell, Terri Tanielian, Lisa H. Jaycox, Grant N. Marshall

ResearchPosted on rand.org 2014Published in: Psychiatric Services, v. 65, no. 6, June 2014, p. 833-835

OBJECTIVE: Roughly half of veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) have not received services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This study assessed probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among OEF/OIF veterans by receipt of VHA services. METHODS: In 2010 a mixed-mode survey assessing symptoms and VHA services utilization was fielded in a random sample of 913 New York State OEF/OIF veterans. RESULTS: Probable PTSD and depression were roughly three times more common among veterans who had received VHA services (N=537) (PTSD, 23%; depression, 21%) than those who had not (N=376) (PTSD, 6%; depression, 8%). CONCLUSIONS: Studies of veterans receiving VHA services likely overstate the prevalence of mental health problems among the broader OEF/OIF veteran population. However, many veterans with mental health problems are not receiving VHA services. Policies that improve outreach to this population may improve health outcomes.

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Document Details

  • Copyright: American Psychiatric Association
  • Availability: Non-RAND
  • Year: 2014
  • Pages: 3
  • Document Number: EP-50496

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