Mental Health Care for Veterans

Mental health conditions, such as mood disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are common among veterans. Because of the unique demographic characteristics, experiences, and needs of this population, several models of care and psychosocial interventions have been adapted. Despite recent developments allowing veterans to use their health benefits outside of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a large proportion of veteran mental health care continues to be delivered directly by the VHA, which is indicative of general challenges in accessing mental health services nationwide as well as the VHA’s expertise in addressing mental health problems common to veterans. With some veterans choosing to receive mental health services outside of the VHA, broad competence and best practices in the care of this vulnerable population must extend to all clinicians providing care to them.

This Editor’s Choice collection highlights findings from several recent studies that describe mental health conditions among veterans and discuss novel prevention and treatment services. The first group of articles examines mental health service utilization among veterans, and the second group specifically focuses on racial and ethnic disparities. The third section examines suicide outcomes and interventions, and the fourth examines outcomes associated with occupational or vocational interventions. Additional research is needed to guide best practices across the range of mental health and other social issues prevalent among veterans, including homelessness, PTSD, and substance use disorders.