Challenges and facilitators for mental health care for operational stress injuries in the military: A qualitative study

Military members and Veterans have an increased risk of mental health (MH) conditions compared with the general population. In light of the underutilization of MH services in this population, it is important to examine the factors that either obstruct or facilitate access to MH treatment, as well as ongoing participation. This knowledge is key to developing effective strategies that enhance accessibility to these services and encourage treatment-seeking behaviour. This study aimed to provide a nuanced understanding of personal and systemic factors that influence Canadian Veteran MH care.

Thirteen Canadian Armed Forces Veterans were recruited via physician referral from the Operational Stress Injury Clinic in London, Ontario, and interviewed using a qualitative interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA). Interviews were coded and analyzed using standard IPA guidelines.

Analyses revealed six superordinate themes: perceived need for treatment, motivation to seek treatment, accessibility and adequacy of MH resources, experiences during treatment, influence of social support, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their MH.

This study emphasizes the importance of understanding Canadian Veterans as a distinct cultural group with unique needs and challenges, including stigma, self-reliance, and difficulties navigating health care systems. This research examined the mixed impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Veteran participants. It had a small sample size and primarily included male participants. Future research should focus on under-represented Veterans groups (e.g., women) and those who have not sought treatment to inform interventions and improve overall MH outcomes for this population.