Page 87 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2023 - Online Magazine

VETERAN RESOURCES

OLDER VETERANS

AND
mental HealtH:

Addressing Barriers to Treatment

n 2019, 47% of the U.S. veteran It is important to increase and Lack of Understanding
population was 65 or older, and highlight awareness of the
Ithis number is expected to reach importance of seeking help. If more of Treatment Options:
------
52% next year, according to the individuals share their experiences
National Center for Biotechnology and tools for coping, more veterans Many veterans are unaware of
Information. After service, veterans will be likely to take the next step treatment options. Lack of education
must readjust to regular life, but toward healing. about resources and readily available
sometimes traumatic experiences information can make getting help a
in the military can lead to serious Lack of Access to daunting task. From the confusion of
mental health conditions, such enrolling for the necessary services to
as post-traumatic stress disorder, Specialized Care: unclear benefits, more veterans could
depression, anxiety, and substance ------ receive the care they need if they
use disorder. Despite higher rates of Even if a veteran is open to seeking understood their options.
PTSD, older veterans are less likely mental health treatment, too often
to seek mental health services due to they struggle to find professionals In addition to understanding how
barriers like a perceived stigma. who understand their specific needs. to access treatment, sifting through
Here are some common roadblocks This can be especially challenging different treatment options can be a
that older veterans experience in for older veterans, as their needs hurdle. Behavioral health treatment
seeking and receiving mental health can be more clinically complex due is not a one-size-fits-all. Many
care. to potential physical ailments or veterans could benefit from a clear
cognitive decline. Research even explanation of available services to
Stigma and Stereotypes: suggests the stress of aging can better understand what treatment
may mean for them.
------ exacerbate post-traumatic stress
symptoms.
The stigma surrounding mental If someone doesn’t feel understood
health conditions is a significant Culturally competent care is by their mental health professional,
barrier for many individuals in frequently highlighted when they may be more hesitant to
need of treatment, but this can be discussing the treatment of people open up, leading to ineffective or
especially prevalent among veterans. of diverse ethnic and cultural discontinued treatment. Continued
Service members are often seen as backgrounds, but it is also important awareness of the unique needs
strong and self-reliant and may for individuals with uniquely-lived of older veterans can help this
hide emotional challenges to avoid experiences, like older veterans. population receive the care they
being seen as weak. This hesitation need.
can also come from concern about
being labeled with embarrassing
stereotypes. If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health challenges, reach out
to a qualified provider, such as Oceans Behavioral Hospital Lubbock for a
confidential assessment at WWW.OCEANSLUBBOCK.COM.

Lubbock Senior Link 87