22% New York Veterans Have Mental Health Problems

Full article at: Nearly a Quarter of New York Veterans Face Mental Health Challenges; More Coordination of Resources Needed, Study Finds
Wed Jan 26 09:44:47 2011 Pacific Time

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 26 (AScribe Newswire) -- Military veterans from New York state who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are at high risk for mental health problems, according to a new study conducted by the RAND Corporation and funded by the New York State Health Foundation.

Nearly a quarter of veterans (22 percent) in New York state were found to have a probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or major depression. Compared to similar individuals in the general population, the veterans studied were at an eight-fold greater risk of probable PTSD and a two- to four-fold greater risk of major depression.

While many services are available to those in need, more than 40 percent of veterans report being unaware of what help is available or uncertain about how to navigate the systems that provide assistance. Outreach to connect veterans with services and better coordination among government and community agencies is needed, according to the study, which is the first to look at the needs of returning veterans and their families in New York state.

"This study underscores that many returning veterans have mental health needs that require substantial attention from both the Department of Veterans Affairs and other service providers in New York state," said Terry Schell, the study's lead author and a senior social scientist at RAND, a nonprofit research organization. "While many services are available, more needs to be done to make sure veterans get the help they need." "