The Journey to Mental Wellness

2024-06-06T09:35:48-04:00

The end of my service in the Army was marked by adversity. I was mourning the unexpected loss of my sister and the sudden death of my stepdaughter. Not long before, I had undergone a major surgery and was incorrectly told that I had months to live.

Needless to say, it was a traumatic and trying time in my life. With the support of my family, I decided to take a hardship discharge from the Army and transition to the New Mexico National Guard. I turned to my local Department of Veterans Affairs medical center for health care, but at the time, I found it ill- equipped to address women’s health. There seemed to be little support or understanding of the unique experiences and needs of women veterans.

As I dealt with grief and life changes, I needed mental health care, too. But if the VA couldn’t handle my gender-specific health needs, I didn’t think it was prepared to handle my mental health care either.

This was in the early 1990s, and to be sure, much has changed since then. The VA has made significant investments in women’s health research and expanded gender-specific care. Access and awareness have greatly improved. But there is much work to be done when it comes to lifesaving mental health care for women veterans, and the stakes are high.

New data released by the VA in November showed that between 2020 and 2021, the suicide rate among women veterans jumped 24.1%. As a longtime leading advocate for women veterans, DAV was already examining mental health among women veterans when the latest data came to light. Earlier this year, DAV released its third report on women veterans, ‘Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness.’

It is the most comprehensive assessment of the unique factors contributing to the staggering rates of suicide and other negative mental health outcomes among women veterans. It considers the impact of military sexual trauma, reproductive health, and social support. It identifies gaps in care and understanding and makes over 50 recommendations intended to spark urgent change that can save lives.

In the report and at https://rly.pt/womenveteranstudy, you will also find personal mental health stories of women veterans. By sharing some of the most vulnerable and harrowing parts of their lives, they remind us of what’s really at stake.

And now, we need your help. As members of this community, you are in the best position to educate and advocate for your fellow veterans. Become familiar with this report. Discuss it. Call on your elected representatives and local VA leaders to consider our recommendations. Encourage women veterans in your community to use VA care and share their experiences.

Do this and you can help us keep our promise to all of America’s veterans.

Women Veterans Study

Learn about the gaps in suicide prevention among women veterans in DAV’s special report, “Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness.”

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 6 at 2024 12:11 PM

2024-06-06T12:11:07-04:00

Discussion of mental health in all facets of servicemembers and veteran life's needs to be encouraged. Help needs to be highlighted and encouraged. Thank you for sharing on this difficult and critical topic!

Response by PFC Brook Lyn made Jun 6 at 2024 8:15 PM

2024-06-06T20:15:30-04:00

The V.A Helathcare system is horrible. I've had to constantly switch Mental Health therapists, and the last one I switched to never showed up for our appt. I'm also in the process of seeking permanent Healthcare outside of the V.A

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Jun 7 at 2024 2:57 AM

2024-06-07T02:57:30-04:00

Huh? DAV never returned a single phone call in twenty years, and three states. Maybe you have some relative or other connection that gets you preferrential tx, but they do not serve women

I am a survivor of MST. I spent months in agony while VA staff with zero qualifications in either gynecology or urology blocked a referral to a pelvic floor specialist. That would be unacceptable in regard to any woman's care, but for a patient with a history of MST, it was excreble. So, where the heck was your previous DAV?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 8 at 2024 3:17 PM

2024-06-08T15:17:43-04:00

I retired with severe PTSD. None of the army or VA therapists helped me much. I think this is an experience that many have had as well. I wrote a PTSD healing book if you want to corroborate.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jun 10 at 2024 5:37 PM

2024-06-10T17:37:40-04:00

Good afternoon, SSG Nancy Espinosa. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing this sister Nancy.

Response by CDR Theresa Everest made Jun 19 at 2024 8:29 PM

2024-06-19T20:29:00-04:00

I was encouraged by the VA Women’s Clinic in Portland, OR and then I moved. I have Community Care Services about an hour away and the VA Is 3 hours away. If I wasn’t able to get care through the Community Care Program I’d be screwed. As far as mental health care goes, forget about it as they have definitely forgotten about us.

Response by MSgt Alfred Gronroos made Jul 26 at 2024 12:03 AM

2024-07-26T00:03:44-04:00

The VA mental health is not much help at all for us males also. Just pill pushers. Nice people but not helpful like the Vet Center personnel. If you need mental health please check into the Vet Center closest to you. They have mobile units that do outreach sessions. They cannot prescribe medications so dual MH is needed.

Response by SrA Cecelia Eareckson made Aug 15 at 2024 7:35 PM

2024-08-15T19:35:40-04:00

So, two months ago,I expressed skepticism, to say the least, that DAV would ever represent a woman veteran. Elizabeth DePompei responded, asked, via e-mail, for my phone number and location. I provided both, and got acknowledgement. Two months later, and zip. Haveyou no shame?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 9 at 2024 8:35 PM

2024-10-09T20:35:49-04:00

There are entirely too many veterans that the VA cannot materially help. We still have a long ways to go.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2024 1:30 AM

2024-10-12T01:30:50-04:00

wow, I didn't know the problem was that bad. it seems among the VA system you don''t see to many female servicemembers. I would be happy to share the post with any veterans I know.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Oct 14 at 2024 5:47 PM

2024-10-14T17:47:48-04:00

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Oct 15 at 2024 1:14 PM

2024-10-15T13:14:28-04:00

Thanks very much for this post, many of who served have had bad experiences while in the military, whether in combat or not. They need to be helped.

Response by AN Ron Wright made Oct 15 at 2024 4:53 PM

2024-10-15T16:53:55-04:00

Blessings for you. To speak of it is to conquer it. You got this sister

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Oct 19 at 2024 4:33 PM

2024-10-19T16:33:21-04:00

Hi, The Veterans Medical Center in Buffalo,NY is not handling patients very well, and is in trouble. As some of you may know the Director, and the Chief of staff were relieved. I had to go to my patient advocate ( Carol Griffith ) who has done a fantastic job for me, and others. This woman should be rewarded for her hard work to help the many veterans who have come to her for help.

Response by Mileva Aponte made Oct 29 at 2024 4:24 PM

2024-10-29T16:24:59-04:00

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