Mental Health Funding for Veterans

The number of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans presenting with post-traumatic stress disorder at the Department of Veterans Affairs is higher than originally projected. According to an April 2015 Washington Post Article, an estimated thirty percent of the 2.7 million former American troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan now live with traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The effect of psychological stigma in the military still keeps many veterans from seeking needed mental health services. Barriers that might prevent veterans from seeking mental health care at the VA include stigma and beliefs about mental health care, a lack of understanding or awareness of mental health care, logistical barriers to accessing care and concerns about VA health care services in general.

This fund aims to lobby the current budget for mental health services for US Veterans. Together, we can raise the budget, and bring awareness and treatment to those who have served our county and desperately need assistance.