Telephonic Counseling
Most veterans experience some personal or family distress in the course of their lives. Professional assistance helps to ensure successful management of personal challenges. Telephonic Counseling is a convenient first step in getting such support. Reasons current members use Telephonic Counseling include:
- Death of a loved one
- PTSD
- Relationship issues
- Parenting issues
- Traumatic accident
- Major illness
- Substance abuse
- Depression
- Stress and anxiety
- Workplace issues
- Change & transition
- Financial stress
- Any reason that causes concern
Financial Restraints
People who could benefit from professional services may be reluctant to access care for a variety of reasons, including financial restraints. Telephonic counseling programs provide cost effective solutions to individuals with limited access to medical benefits or financial resources. In addition, telephonic counseling addresses a broad range of issues and is appealing because it offers timely, accessible services without an “out-of- pocket” expense to the individual.
The percentage of veterans experiencing mental health issues can vary depending on the specific study, time period, and criteria used. However, I can provide some general estimates based on research:
- Overall mental health issues:
- Estimates suggest that around 20-30% of veterans experience some form of mental health condition.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
- For veterans who served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, estimates range from 11-20% in a given year.
- For Gulf War veterans, about 12% experience PTSD in a given year.
- For Vietnam veterans, lifetime prevalence has been estimated at about 30%.
- Depression:
Studies indicate that approximately 14-16% of veterans may experience depression.
- Substance Use Disorder:
Estimates suggest that about 11% of veterans seeking first-time care from the VA have a substance use disorder.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI):
While not strictly a mental health issue, TBI often co-occurs with mental health problems. It's estimated that about 22% of all combat casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan involve TBIs.
- Suicidal thoughts:
Research suggests that around 13.5% of veterans have had suicidal thoughts in their lifetime.
It's important to note that these figures can overlap, as many veterans experience multiple mental health issues simultaneously. Additionally, many cases may go unreported or undiagnosed due to stigma or lack of access to care.