Approximately one third of all veterans returning from service in the Middle East have received a mental health diagnosis (Ganzer, 2016). The most common diagnoses differ between male and female veterans. Female veterans are at greater risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, and suicide (Ganzer, 2016) while male veterans are at greatest risk for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and traumatic brain injury (National Alliance for Mental Illness, 2017). The need for mental health services to our newest veterans has never been greater.
References
Ganzer, C. A. (2016). Veteran women: Mental health-related consequences of military service. American Journal of Nursing, 116(11), 32-39. doi: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000505583.09590.d4
National Alliance for Mental Illness. (2017). Veterans & active duty. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Veterans-and-Active-Duty
For this Assignment, you will determine the adequacy mental health services available to veterans in your community.
Assess the community and/or state sponsored services that are available to veterans with co-morbid chronic mental illness. For example, what services are available to a veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and alcohol abuse? In a 10-12 slide informative PowerPoint presentation (title slide and reference slides are in addition to the 10-12 slide requirement), include the following:
• What factors (outside of military service) influence the veterans need for mental health services? (Use evidence to support your rationale.)
• How is the veteran evaluated to determine eligibility for services?
• What is the cost of these services to those veterans receiving it?
• Are the available services in your community adequate for the population served? Explain your answer.
• What recommendations do you have for improving the available services? (Are more services needed? Are different services needed? How would additional funding help?)
Your presentation should establish a clear viewpoint and purpose. A minimum of three references should be included, and placed in a reference slide at the end of your presentation.
