Running head: GAP IN EQUITY
A Gap in Equity Related to Mental Health Access for Veterans
Southern New Hampshire University
A Gap in Equity Related to Mental Health Access for Veterans
GAP IN EQUITY
War has been a part of our history and is ongoing today. Veterans have endured the
intensity of their work and a range of consequences that have occurred as a result of it. Mental
illness and emotional trauma are high among American veterans, and is especially true for those
who were in the most recent wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans can suffer from a
variety of mental health problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse
disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sex trauma. They are met with significant obstacles to
gain access to quality psychological heath services after their deployments. The lack of access to
mental health services can lead to suicidal behavior and is considerably high in the veteran
population. The gap in equity related to mental health access for veterans is a mind-boggling
issue that should be addressed in the U.S health care system.
The gap in equity for mental health access for veterans has been an issue dating back to
World War II and most recently since the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is due to the multiple
deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. According to a report from the Department of Defense,
there showed an increase in suicide among Army veterans of more than 18% from 2011 to 2014
(Hester, 2017). The civilian population have better access to suicide prevention programs than
the veteran population. This is due to the resources not being readily available at most VA
Hospitals and Health Systems due to the shortage of critical mental health personnel (Hester,
2017). The inequities in mental health care among veterans has developed historically
Individuals have enlisted in the military for several reasons that can be due to educational
benefits, financial incentives, family tradition, or patriotism. Many of these soldiers return home
maimed and injured by foes that lead to physical and mental injuries. The return with limited
skills, depression, loss of purpose, questionable employment options, and overwhelming family
GAP IN EQUITY
crisis. For new veterans who are disabled, income replacement is an important step in their
transition, but disability benefits fill in that gap of earning potential from injuries sustained in
military service. Unfortunately, according to the American Public Health Association, the VA
states that nearly 300,000 claims are in backlog status which compels veterans "to borrow
money, go into debt, or rely on friends and family to provide financial support" (2014). The
financial stress and unemployment can contribute to the higher rates of mental illness which then
leads our veterans homeless and experiencing substance abuse problems and gambling
addictions. For a faster access to mental health services, they would need private health
insurance but they cannot afford it if they are unemployed. This then leaves them with state
insurance such as Medicaid but can also leave them