title: Barriers to mental health treatment for military wives.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An Internet-based survey sought information about barriers to mental health services for military wives.
  
  
  METHODS
  On the basis of qualitative work, an Internet-based program was created to identify military wives who may have major depressive disorder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women (N=569, ages 18 to 56) were recruited from 45 states and eight foreign countries. Most participants (78%) reported mild to severe depression. Many (44%) reported unaddressed mental health needs. Barriers included inability to attend daytime appointments (38%), inability to find a counselor who understands the needs of military spouses (35%), inability to find a counselor the participant could trust (29%), concerns about confidentiality (26%), and lack of knowledge about where to get services (25%). The barriers reported differed markedly from those described by distressed women in the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Military wives are an underserved population. Knowledge of military culture is essential for civilian mental health providers working with military wives.
authors.forename: Colleen S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lewy
authors.forename: Celina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Bentson H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: McFarland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018454:Spouses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult