title: The Mental Health Status of California Veterans.
abstract: Data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) from 2011--2013 showed approximately 90,000 veterans had mental health needs and 200,000 reported serious thoughts of suicide during the 12 months prior to participating in CHIS. Although the proportion of veterans reporting mental health need or serious psychological distress was no higher than the general population, California veterans were more likely to report lifetime suicide ideation. This policy brief uses CHIS data to examine the mental health status, needs, and barriers to care among veterans in California. Veterans were more likely to receive mental health or substance use treatment than nonveterans, yet three of four veterans with mental health needs received either inadequate or no mental health care. Integrating mental and physical health services, increasing access to care, retaining veterans who seek mental health treatment, and reducing stigma are among the strategies that might improve the mental health of California's veterans.
authors.forename: Linda Diem
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.affiliation: UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: National Science Foundation
authors.forename: May
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aydin
mesh_terms: D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008605:Mental Health Services; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014728:Veterans; D058014:Veterans Health