title: Prevalence of mental health problems among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have and have not received VA services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Roughly half of veterans who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) have not received services from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This study assessed probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among OEF/OIF veterans by receipt of VHA services.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2010 a mixed-mode survey assessing symptoms and VHA services utilization was fielded in a random sample of 913 New York State OEF/OIF veterans.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Probable PTSD and depression were roughly three times more common among veterans who had received VHA services (N=537) (PTSD, 23%; depression, 21%) than those who had not (N=376) (PTSD, 6%; depression, 8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies of veterans receiving VHA services likely overstate the prevalence of mental health problems among the broader OEF/OIF veteran population. However, many veterans with mental health problems are not receiving VHA services. Policies that improve outreach to this population may improve health outcomes.
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vaughan
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Schell
authors.forename: Terri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanielian
authors.forename: Lisa H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Jaycox
authors.forename: Grant N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
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