Envision facing a daunting mountain trail, full of rigorous switchbacks and shrouded in fog, revealing new obstacles and unseen twists with each step on the path. This is the journey that many of our selfless veteran heroes undertake as they navigate the often difficult terrain of mental health care post service. They face a landscape rife with challenges — not only having to battle conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression, but also constant struggles with the Veterans Administration (VA) and health care professionals themselves, sometimes obstructing their path toward healing.

In a recent survey conducted by the team at Hill & Ponton, P.A, titled “The Silent Battle: Fostering Accessibility and Support for Veteran Mental Health Care,” a V.A. disability law firm that champions for veterans, a sobering reality was illuminated: Accessibility remains a formidable obstacle in the journey for their mental well-being. From the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the V.A. that often delays essential care, to the scarcity of providers who are attuned to the cultural needs of their veteran clients, the journey is very much like a perilous mountain venture.

Even amidst the rugged journey, there is still hope. The survey concluded that by equipping health care providers with the knowledge to guide veterans’ unique experiences and healing, and empowering veterans with the information they need to know about their treatment options, there is a definitive way to forge a trail for a brighter future for our nation’s heroes.

Understanding Military Culture in Mental Health Care

Navigating the realm of mental health care is a daunting task on its own, but when you start to address our veterans, the demands of everyone involved are far greater. Addressing health concerns for our military heroes requires a profound understanding of their culture and the unique experiences that shaped their lives. The survey shed light on what an important role culture competence plays in ensuring effective and sensitive mental health support.

Why is Cultural Competence so Critical?

In the survey, one of the big questions Hill & Ponton polled veterans about was the importance of receiving mental health care from providers versed in veteran experiences and military culture. Data shows 75% of respondents reported having a strong preference toward a provider with a compatible background, underscoring the need for those who can navigate the complexities of veteran life with sensitivity and understanding.

Often, providers lacking in cultural competence may inadvertently misunderstand or misinterpret veterans’ experiences, leading to such things as incorrect diagnoses and ineffective treatment approaches. In this 2023 study, it highlights how critical it is for health care workers to understand the beliefs in military experience and the way it should influence their approach toward mental health care. Additionally, having an awareness of the challenges of readjustment to civilian life post service is very important when developing a strong rapport with veterans.

How to Embrace a Veteran-Centered Approach

There are many ways that health care professionals can adopt a veteran-centered approach to health care initiatives, particularly those dealing with mental health. Here are some steps health care organizations can follow to make a meaningful impact for veterans.

• Integrate specialized classes, lessons or modules into training programs that currently exist within your organization that focus on military structure, deployment experience and culturally appropriate treatment approaches. The Army’s Basic Training site or Military One Source are great examples of where to find relevant information.
• Provide training on recognizing and addressing common mental health challenges prevalent among veterans, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), which are all readily discussed and researched by the V.A.
• Emphasize the importance of cultural competence and understanding of military culture in mental health care delivery.
• Solicit regular feedback from veterans on their experiences with mental health providers, which ensures they are getting quality care they deserve and prefer. The V.A. provides an example of this on their website that can be utilized.

Adopting a more veteran-centered care approach can allow providers the opportunity to tailor treatment plans to address unique needs and challenges faced within the community. Continuous professional development and collaboration with others who may be more knowledgeable or experienced can ensure that all providers remain up to date and well-informed on how to work with and treat veteran patients.

A Call to Arms in the Battle Against Veteran Health Care Barriers

Health care can be very much like a rock climb, each step forward makes the summit that much closer, just as each effort to enhance mental health care for veterans can encourage a future where their sacrifices are honored and their well-being prioritized.

Amidst the challenges veterans face, there are opportunities to effect change, to help foster better understanding and to pave the way for a brighter future. By equipping health care professionals with the tools and the knowledge to navigate what are often very complex waters of military culture, learning leaders in health care can forge a path toward more empathetic and effective care.