The RAND Corporation released a study examining the behavioral health needs of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Using information gleaned from interviews with veterans living in New York State, the authors found that veterans have a substantially elevated rate of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The report notes that both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA services are critical for addressing veterans’ behavioral health needs. The authors propose that policymakers reduce barriers to treatment, improve the adherence to treatment, and improve the quality of services.

From the study:

Since October 2001, approximately 2 million U.S. troops have deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Although not always counted as official casualties by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), mental health disorders and other types of impairments resulting from deployment experiences are beginning to emerge.

DoD, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Congress have moved to study the issues, quantify the problems, and formulate policy solutions. They are beginning to implement the hundreds of recommendations that have emerged from various task forces, commissions, and research reports. However, despite widespread policy interest and a firm commitment from the military services to address these injuries, fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge about the needs of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the adequacy of the care system available to meet those needs, and the experiences of veterans and service members who use these systems.

Full Report: A Needs Assessment of New York State Veterans: Final Report to the New York State Health Foundation (PDF | 704 KB) 

RAND Corporation. (2011). A needs assessment of New York state veterans: final report to the New York State Health Foundation. Schell, T. and Tanielian, T.