Assessment of mental health care service utilization among Millennium Cohort Study participants reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder

Introduction: Combat deployments to the wars in Iraq have been associated with high use of mental health services. This study sought to examine mental health care service utilization among deployed active-duty US service members reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.

Methods: A total of 108,157 Millennium Cohort Study consenting participants completed the first panel baseline questionnaire (2001-2003), the first panel follow-up questionnaire (2004-2006) and the second panel baseline questionnaire (2004-2006). Deployed active-duty military members with symptoms for PTSD and other mental health conditions were identified using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, sensitive criteria. Outpatient and inpatient electronic encounters were evaluated at 1, 3 and 5 years from the date of reported symptoms.

Results: Among deployed active-duty Navy and Marine Corps Millennium Cohort members who reported PTSD symptoms, approximately 5% sought care for PTSD at 1 year, while approximately 8% sought care at 3 and 5 years. When accounting for care sought for all mental health conditions, approximately 23%, 33% and 34% of the participants sought care at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Analyses of other mental health conditions for all military services are underway.

Conclusion: These data suggest nearly a third of those with PTSD symptoms sought care for a mental health condition within 5 years of reported symptoms. Military health care providers should be commended for the increased care provided and the destigmatization of many of these disorders.