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A recent study by the Government Accountability Office, or GAO, revealed that Student Veterans are accessing mental health care services at a significantly higher rate compared to other Veterans. This difference indicates both the challenges they face and their willingness to seek assistance.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened mental health issues among the overall populace, Veterans included. Student Veterans primarily sought treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety-related disorders. Mental health care visits at VA facilities witnessed a steady increase from 2017 through 2022.
According to records from the VA, more than 5.9 million Veterans received medical care at VA facilities in 2022. Among them, approximately 40% sought help for mental health conditions, a number that has been steadily increasing from around 30% in 2017. Yet, according to the GAO study, mental health care requests comprised approximately 70% of all medical appointments for Student Veterans in 2022. In contrast, this proportion remained around 30% for the remainder of the Veteran demographic during the six-year period.
The report pointed out the challenges faced by Student Veterans in transitioning to education post-military service, such as lower grade point averages and reduced social support compared to their non-Veteran peers. Additionally, Student Veterans are more susceptible to anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Demographics also play a role, with younger Veterans, particularly those under 35, being more inclined to seek mental health care compared to older generations. Among Student Veterans, 53% of those under 35 used VA services for mental health issues, while only 32% of Veterans aged 35 and above did so.
The findings in the report emphasize the need for VA representatives to improve the information they provide about benefits and services in order to guarantee that Veterans’ mental health needs are sufficiently met.
One effort designed at addressing this is the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership program, which fosters partnerships between VA health care systems and local colleges/universities to offer campus-based mental health support to student Veterans. However, only 32 out of VA’s 139 health care systems currently participate in such programs. GAO researchers stressed the importance of the VA consistently communicating information across its health care systems to encourage participation in the program to enhance support for the mental health needs of student Veterans.
In response to the report, VA officials announced that the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention is developing an annual briefing on the program to promote more partnerships.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
