Student and Nonstudent National Guard Service Members/Veterans and Their Use of Services for Mental Health Symptoms

Abstract

Objective To compare mental health symptoms and service utilization among returning student and nonstudent Service Members/Veterans (SM/Vs). Participants SM/Vs (N=1439) were predominately white (83%) men (92%); half were over age 30 (48%) and 24% were students. Methods SM/Vs completed surveys six months post-deployment (October 2011–July 2013). Results Students and nonstudent SM/Vs did not differ in positive screens for depression, anxiety, hazardous drinking, or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Students (n=81) and nonstudents (n=265) with mental health symptoms had low levels of mental health service use (e.g., VA, civilian, or military facilities), at 47% and 57% respectively. Fewer students used VA mental health services. Common barriers to treatment-seeking included not wanting treatment on military records and embarrassment. Conclusions Like other returning SM/Vs, student SM/Vs have unmet mental health needs. The discrepancy between potential need and treatment-seeking suggests that colleges might be helpful in further facilitating mental health service use for student SM/Vs.

Understanding the Education-Related Needs of Contemporary Male Veterans

“…This underscores the importance of support systems for veterans adjusting to civilian life. Also, related to help‐seeking behaviors, Bonar, Bohnert, Walters, Ganoczy, and Valenstein () found that some veterans will use the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs centers, whereas others prefer not to do so for fear of having it recorded in their military records. Bringing attention to their mental health needs is a choice that many veterans choose not to make.…”

Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE): Implementing a sustainable peer support program for student veterans on college campuses

“…Not all student veterans struggle in college, but among those who do, many hesitate to seek help due to concerns about stigma in both military and civilian contexts (Bonar, Bohnert, Walters, Ganoczy, & Valenstein, 2015;Elliott, Gonzalez, & Larsen, 2011). Peer programs may help reduce stigma and other barriers to care for veterans (Nelson, Abraham, Walters, Pfeiffer, & Valenstein, 2014;Zinzow, Britt, McFadden, Burnette, & Gillispie, 2012) and are a good fit on college campuses, where peer programs are commonly used to help students with adjustment to college life and persistence in their education (Shook & Keup, 2012;Swenson, Nordstrom, & Hiester, 2008).…”

Determinants of National Guard Mental Health Service Utilization in VA versus Non‐VA Settings

“…This barrier to service utilization remains among Guard soldiers who are students despite identified need (Bonar et al. ). While a recent study of this population indicated a reduction of stigma and beliefs barriers regarding mental health treatment (Valenstein et al.…”

“…Gorman et al (2011) found that 45 percent of Guard soldiers with a mental health condition did not want mental health treatment to appear on their military records. This barrier to service utilization remains among Guard soldiers who are students despite identified need (Bonar et al 2015). While a recent study of this population indicated a reduction of stigma and beliefs barriers regarding mental health treatment (Valenstein et al 2014), it still remains uncertain whether distance to treatment, scheduling, and other logistical barriers are being addressed or if they contribute to differential use of VA and non-VA care.…”