When developing new mental health wellness programs, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials often overlook the specific and basic mental health needs of women veterans.
According to a new report, released in March of 2024, by the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), this developmental program attempt leaves “worrisome gaps” in available resources.
More outreach and research efforts are needed, according to the DAV report, to encourage women veterans to seek specific care, instead of relying on male-focused messaging already utilized by the VA.
Women make up approximately ten (10%) percent of the veterans population. According to VA statistics, approximately seven (7) million male veterans use VA medical services and approximately 650,000 female veterans are enrolled in the VA healthcare system.
According to the VA, these numbers are expected to grow significantly over the next decade, especially spurred on by the PACT Act enrollments. Since 2005, the VA has seen a 154% increase in the number of women veterans accessing VA mental health care.
All military occupations are now open to women, and therefore, more women than ever are experiencing combat-related trauma leading to visible and invisible wounds, impacting mental health concerns.
The VA officials have made significant and important advances in mental health outreach in the recent decade, according to DAV researchers, but often that outreach messaging is focusing on the needs and challenges of male veterans.
For specific example, the VA suicide prevention efforts do not include components on military sexual trauma (MST) or postpartum adjustments,
both of which increase the risk of suicide among female veterans.
Also, little research has been conducted on whether firearms safety efforts should be adjusted to improve outreach to female veterans.
Between 2020 and 2021, the suicide rate among women veterans increased by 24.1%, nearly four (4) times higher than the 6.3% increase among male veterans. There was only a 2.6% increase among non-veteran females in the same period.
DAV researchers have identified strong individual suicide risk factors among women veterans. These include a diagnosis of a mental illness, substance use disorder, and a prior suicide attempt or suicidal ideation.
According to the researchers, there are certain indicators that serve as protective factors that help bolster veterans against suicide. These are: strong relationships with others; meaning in life; mindfulness; self-worth and self-compassion; and most importantly — regular connection to health care, including mental health services.
Women veterans are more susceptible for suicide based upon several unique factors. One of every three women veterans enrolled in the VA health services have experienced MST during their service in the military. MST is directly associated with an increased risk of suicide attempts.
History of family trauma or other sexual trauma is also a risk factor for suicide. Substance abuse disorder among women veterans heightens the suicide risk for women and it is more than twice the risk than it is for male veterans.
The purpose of the new DAV report, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness, is to raise awareness about the challenges women veterans face after service, specifically looking at mental health, substance abuse and VA suicide prevention efforts and how risk factors (such as sexual assault and the reproductive health cycle) affect mental health.
The goal of the Report is to highlight the unique needs of women veterans and to ensure care and programs are tailored to meet those needs, ultimately resulting in more effective health care and better outcomes.
This is the third Report published by the DAV focusing on women veterans.
The first comprehensive study was entitled: Women Veterans: The Long Journey Home in September of 2014 and included twenty-seven (27) Key Recommendations to strengthen government efforts for women veterans.
The second DAV researched Report was entitled: Women Veterans: The Journey Ahead in 2018. This study analyzed the progress made on the initial twenty-seven (27) Key Recommendations listed in 2014.
My Opinion: This DAV Report, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness, is important because it provides a review of the VA’s Suicide Prevention Strategy Activities, along with the important links to the activities. The Report also provides a listing of valuable Women Veterans Resources, along with their links to the resources listed.
I firmly believe too many women veterans are unaware of the resources available to them as they struggle to access the timely, quality mental health services that are essential to recovery and overall well-being.
Women veterans, through our history, have volunteered to serve in the military. But their valuable contributions have been under-recognized, even by the women veterans themselves.
The challenges of transition to post-military life affect women differently than men. Women should receive special attention from the VA, especially concerning mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention efforts.
This DAV Report is available online by typing: Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness
BioSketch: John Plahovinsak is a 32-year Army veteran who served from 1967 to 1999. He is the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of Ohio’s Hospital Chairman and Adjutant of DAV Chapter #63 (Clermont County). He can be contacted at: plahovinsak@msn.com.