A National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (NCCBH) survey found that, despite passage of the Veterans Mental Health Act in 2008, veterans continue to face significant barriers to accessing behavioral health care.  Among other findings, nearly two-thirds of respondents said that veterans report long delays and excessive wait times when scheduling behavioral health appointments.

From the summary:

The survey finds that 90 percent of respondents currently provide mental health and substance use services to veterans, reservists and National Guard. Respondents serve an average of more than 70 veterans, service members and their families a month. Two-thirds of responding organizations have veterans on staff and some provide peer-to-peer support for veterans and service members.

To request a copy from NCCBH: http://www.thenationalcouncil.org/cs/press_releases/survey_finds_barriers_to_veterans_and_mental_health

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. (2009). Survey on barriers to veterans and mental health.