Depression and Veterans

Depression is one of the most common and expensive mental disorders, costing the United States an estimated $66 billion per year. Veterans diagnosed with depression account for slightly more than 14 percent of the total. From 2000-07, the medical records of more than 206,000 veterans entering the VA health care system were assessed. Findings revealed that one in three patients was diagnosed with at least one mental health disorder-41 percent were diagnosed with either a mental health or a behavioral adjustment disorder. The diagnosis rate for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 20 percent followed by 14 percent for depression, yet studies show that depression is under-diagnosed in this population. continue

Download the Depression and Veterans Fact Sheet as a PDF.

Resources

NAMI Veterans Resource Center

Veteran’s Affairs (VA)

VA Mental Health Care Resources – Reintegration

VA Mental Health Care Resources – PTSD & Depression

Returning Service Members FAQs

VA’s general information hotline 1 (800) 827-1000 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Major Depressive Episode and Treatment for Depression Among Veterans Ages 21-39

Depressionisreal.org's Down & Up Show Podcasts

• Down & Up Show #4: Depression & Military Service
• Down & Up Show #52: Veterans and Depression