Factors Preventing Active Duty Service Members from Utilizing Mental Health Services

Despite mental health resources being available to active duty military members, there continues to be a significant mental health crisis related to military service. Efforts have been made to identify mental health issues and expand resources available to service members and veterans. Following the changes, only one half of service members identified as having mental health issues seek mental health services and a mere on half of those complete treatment. The VA reports those seeking mental health services continue to have a high suicidality indicating even these individuals are not receiving enough assistance (US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (VA), n.d.). A common explanation for lack of psychiatric utilization has historically been stigma. This research is to identify other factors, specific to military culture, which are impeding appropriate treatment for active military personnel. The military has implemented measures to help reduce stigma, and implement education and policies to help increase utilization of mental health services, however there remains a deficit which continues to put our present and former military at risk. The purpose of this study is to identify and examine the relationship between the variables of command climate, warrior ethos, mental health literacy, stigma, and career consequences to active duty military utilizing mental health services.