@article{ref1,
title="Mental health utilization among veterans at risk for suicide: data from a post-deployment clinic",
journal="Psychological services",
year="2018",
author="Miller, Stephanie N. and Monahan, Christopher J. and Phillips, Kristin M. and Agliata, Daniel and Gironda, Ronald J.",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="The current study aim was to examine mental health characteristics in a sample of returning OEF/OIF/OND veterans initially enrolling in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care (N = 1,307), with a particular focus on a subgroup considered at risk for suicide (N = 445). <br><br>METHODS included examination of mental health screening measures and clinical interview data from a VA postdeployment clinic. Half of the sample met criteria for a mental health disorder, whereas 10% reported current suicidal or death ideation (e.g., thoughts of being better off dead or hurting oneself in some way) and 6% reported a history of suicide attempt. Sixty-eight percent of the at-risk subgroup accepted a referral for mental health treatment and a promising majority (78%) of those individuals attended their initial specialty mental health visit. At-risk veterans who accepted mental health referral were more likely to report current suicidal/death ideation; they were also more likely to have a diagnosis of a depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder. Factors associated with mental health appointment attendance included older age, being enrolled in college, and more years of military service. <br><br>RESULTS highlight the importance of early screening and referral to appropriate mental health follow-up. Implications for clinical practice and increasing engagement in VA mental health services among veterans at risk for suicide are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1541-1559",
doi="10.1037/ser0000311",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ser0000311"
}