Giving Compass' Take:

• Despite research showing that veterans are more likely to experience mental health issues, many have trouble accessing high-quality mental health care.

• How can donors play a role in supporting veteran health care access? What are the ways they can collaborate with medical professionals? 

• Read about this app that encourages veterans to talk about their mental health. 

Research shows that those who serve are more likely to experience mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression—the invisible wounds that can deteriorate the quality of a veteran’s life, impair relationships, and lead to other negative consequences.

And yet, research also provides insights that inform solutions that can offer veterans and their families hope. For example, studies show that when veterans have access to high-quality mental health care, their lives change for the better.

But to get there, veterans must navigate a complex system of providers and treatments. And policymakers and providers must work to ensure that veterans have access to the highest-quality care.

This resource provides a window to explore veterans’ journeys to mental health care, findings and resources from RAND’s vast body of research, and insights on how to help more veterans receive the care they need.

  1. Identifying Mental Health Issues
  2. Deciding Where to Get Care
  3. Overcoming Barriers to Care
  4. Receiving High-Quality Care 

Read the full article about mental health for veterans by Charles Zwick at RAND.