Mental Health Access for Veterans

A Gap in Equity Related to Mental Health Access for Veterans
Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare. Include the specific population affected by the gap
A specific gap that is existent in the delivery of healthcare takes into account a shortfall in equity that is associated with mental health accessibility for veterans.
Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Has this been an issue historically, or is it a modern issue?
A gap in accessibility to mental care has been a historical issue that has protracted into the present times. This gap in equity goes back to the mid-20th century during the Vietnam War. Thousands of recruits within the military armies that participated in the war developed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the culmination of their military duties. In definition, post-traumatic stress disorder is a mental health illness caused by the undergoing and coming into contact with petrifying events (Hester, 2017). Some of the PTSD symptoms comprise severe fretfulness, nightmares, and also flashbacks. To deal with these symptoms, individuals partake in mannerisms, including substance abuse, which gave rise to a discharge of other than honorable. Imperatively, for a veteran to obtain healthcare benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), they have to be honorably discharged or to be given an official release. This condition or stipulation gave rise to a massive gap associated with veterans obtained significantly necessitated mental health services (Hester, 2017). In recent times, the veterans that participated in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have also experienced this inequality. Statistics indicate that approximately 50 percent of combat veterans from Iraq have experienced PTSD. Furthermore, statistics suggest that roughly 56 percent to 87 percent of the service members suffering from psychological agony after reporting from deployment indicated that they did not obtain psychological assistance (American Public Health Association, 2014).
Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare
The socioeconomic background of the veterans plays a significant role in their accessibility to healthcare. Research has demonstrated that the utilization of the Veteran Affairs’ health care system was not linked to race but rather was linked to Veteran Affairs’ disability compensation, absence of private health insurance, and higher health care necessity. Furthermore, veterans who are racial minorities, those who have less educational attainment and, lacking private health insurance have a lesser likelihood of using the services. For the most part, a lack of knowledge concerning VA health care benefits and eligibility primarily hinders veterans’ accessibility to VA health services (Tsai et al., 2014).
Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access
The difference in access substantially impacts the healthcare rendered to the veteran community. Numerous low-wage earners are unable to meet the expense of a supplemental health insurance plan that encompasses a comprehensive mental health benefit. These benefits are necessary to deal with crisis-intervention necessities of members of the household who may face depression, anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); substance abuse; and problems with anger management. Consequently, they are lack health coverage for crisis-intervention necessities that impact numerous veteran families in the course of this time of social and economic stress (Hester, 2017). Furthermore, the gap in accessibility gives the implication that the veterans are usually unable to get the medical care that other civilians can get daily.
Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed
If this access gap is not addressed, there will be severe implications for the veterans. The potential impact is that there might be severe mental health problems for veterans, and this might lead to higher rates of suicide. There are also the implications of increased family instabilities, heightened rates of homelessness, and joblessness (American Public Health Association, 2014).
References
American Public Health Association. (2014). Removing barriers to mental health services for veterans. Policy, 201411.
Hester, R. D. (2017). Lack of access to mental health services contributing to the high suicide rates among veterans. International journal of mental health systems, 11(1), 47.
Tsai, J., Desai, M. U., Cheng, A. W., & Chang, J. (2014). The effects of race and other socioeconomic factors on health service use among American military veterans. Psychiatric Quarterly, 85(1), 35-47.