Survey: Veterans face barriers to mental health, substance abuse treatment
A new survey by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare finds that veterans face significant barriers to accessing mental health and substance abuse treatment despite the fact that the Veterans Mental Health Act was signed into law more than a year ago.
The law requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with community behavioral health centers to increase capacity and expand mental health services to include marriage and family counseling.
"We don't fault the VA for these problems, but we are concerned that veterans and their families are not receiving the services they need in a timely manner," said Jeannie Campbell, the council's executive vice president and a veteran. "We hope the VA sees our community behavioral health organizations as resources to extend and supplement their mental health and substance use treatment services."
According to the survey:
- Almost two-thirds of respondents said veterans and their families experience long delays to get initial appointments in times of crisis and excessive waits in between the appointments.
- Veterans often must travel long distances to a VA or military base. Travel times can be as long as five hours in rural areas.
- Many veterans are concerned that seeking treatment from the VA or military will be noted in their personnel records, negatively impact their careers and label them as "weak" or "crazy."
- Though the law specifically includes marriage and family counseling, few family members are involved in treatment. Respondents suggested these services are either not being provided or have not been widely promoted.
Community-based mental health and addictions treatment organizations are filling these gaps by providing treatment and support services for veterans, service members and their families. Services include treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and substance abuse disorders.
The survey finds that 90 percent of respondents currently provide mental health and substance abuse services to veterans, reservists and National Guard. Respondents serve an average of more than 70 veterans, service members and their families a month.
