Mental health services use among Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans: Data from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans mental health follow-up survey (CAFMVHS)

Kate St. Cyr (Lead / Corresponding author), Aihua Liu, Rachel A. Plouffe, Maede S. Nouri, Callista A. Forchuk, Sonya G. Wanklyn, Brian M. Bird, Deniz Fikretoglu, Alyson L. Mahar, Anthony Nazarov, J. Don Richardson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Differences in healthcare delivery systems and pathways to mental healthcare for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans may contribute to variations in mental health services use (MHSU) and the factors associated with it. We: (1) estimated the prevalence of past 12-month MHSU (≥1 visit with a medical or mental health professional); and (2) identified sociodemographic, military-, trauma-, and health-related variables associated with MHSU among CAF members and Veterans.

Methods: The current study used data from the 2018 CAF Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-Up Survey (CAFVMHS). Model variables were selected a priori, and their respective associations with MHSU were estimated among (1) CAF members and (2) Veterans using separate multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: Similar proportions of CAF members and Veterans reported past 12-month MHSU (26.9 vs. 27.5%, respectively). For both CAF members and Veterans, meeting criteria for at least one past 12-month MH disorder was associated with past 12-month MHSU [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 7.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.18–8.46; and AOR = 11.82, 95% CI: 11.07–12.61, respectively). Past-year suicide ideation, a history of sexual trauma, and endorsement of adverse childhood experiences were also significantly associated with MHSU among CAF members and Veterans.

Significance: Similar to previous research, meeting screening criteria for a past 12-month MH disorder was strongly associated with MHSU among both samples. This study extends our existing knowledge about factors associated with MHSU among CAF members and Veterans, and offers direction for future research to increase MHSU.

Original languageEnglish
Article number954914
Number of pages11
JournalFrontiers in Health Services
Volume2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Aug 2022

Keywords

  • Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
  • follow up survey
  • mental health services use
  • military personnel
  • Veterans

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mental health services use among Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans: Data from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans mental health follow-up survey (CAFMVHS)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this