Over the years the mental health of veterans has been discussed with several proposals drafted on how to tackle the issue. While strides have been made to improve the issue, several problems exist that hinder the progress in tackling mental health disorders. Post-traumatic stress is the most common type of disorder that is reported amongst veterans. However, due to the stigma associated with mental illnesses a significant number of cases go unreported or are reported when the cases become acute.
Accessing quality care is the main setback faced by veterans dealing with PSTD. It is reported that the number of reported cases against care providers is high. As such they have to wait or seek alternative care elsewhere. Stringent discharge laws also inhibit access to care. The transition from military to civilian also inhibits access to care. Some of the veterans lack other skills different from combat that could help them secure alternative sources of income once they are discharged. As such they have to struggle with meeting their basic needs as well as seek care for their condition.
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The department of Veteran affairs provides health care approximately 6 million veterans each year with approximately 5100 primary care doctors(American Public Health Association, 2014). With the number bulging each year it is difficult to serve the veterans effectively receive care and as such they may have to wait for certain periods in order to access care. Factors associated with this include, the lack of personnel, improper scheduling practices and problems associated with moving from military care to veteran system. The eligibility for honorable discharge includes a minimum service period of 24 months or the specified mission period. Therefore, those that drop out before then are ineligible for medical benefits through the department of Veteran affairs and have to cover their own costs. From the above analysis it is clear that the issue of mental health care among veterans is not clearly addressed.
References
American Public Health Association. (2014). Removing Barriers to Mental Health Services for Veterans . Retrieved from American Public Health Association: http://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2015/01/28/14/51/removing-barriers-to-m
Dingfelder, S. F. (2009). The military's war on stigma . Retrieved from American Psychological Association: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/06/stigma-war.aspx
