Mental health care for Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans.
Despite recent efforts to increase access to appropriate mental health care for veterans returning from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many challenges remain. These include veterans' reluctance to seek care, insufficient mental health workforce capacity and competency in evidence-based practice, and inadequate systems support for improving care. These broad challenges must be addressed across the Veterans Health Administration, the Department of Defense, and community-based care. Policy reform will require federal leadership to engage health plans, professional organizations, states, and local communities in strategies to improve veterans' access to high-quality services.
Burnam
M Audrey
MA
RAND in Santa Monica, California, USA. ABurnam@rand.org
Meredith
Lisa S
LS
Tanielian
Terri
T
Jaycox
Lisa H
LH
D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*