Work

Characterizing mental health care utilization for veterans with PTSD in the year after a suicide attempt.

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The goal of this study was to characterize mental health care utilization, including variables associated with initiation of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP), among veterans with PTSD in the year following a suicide attempt. In a national survey of veterans with a recent suicide attempt, 431 had a diagnosis of PTSD and were included in the present study. Patients completed self-report measures of PTSD symptom severity, stigma, and logistic barriers to care. Mental health utilization data were extracted from the electronic health record. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize mental health care utilization in the year after a suicide attempt, and regression analyses were used to identify patient- and health service-related factors associated with PTSD EBP initiation. The majority of the sample received eight or more outpatient mental health visits in the year following the index suicide attempt (95.8%); however, only 10.4% initiated a PTSD EBP, and even fewer (4.2%) received a minimally adequate treatment dose (e.g., eight or more sessions). PTSD severity, stigma, and logistic barriers to care did not account for significant variance in PTSD EBP initiation. In addition to outpatient psychotherapy, the majority of patients received an antidepressant-related medication (90.7%), and a substantial portion experienced subsequent psychiatric hospitalization (46.2%). Although the majority of patients received eight or more outpatient mental health visits, few engaged in a PTSD EBP, suggesting that additional work is needed to determine how best to time PTSD treatment in the context of a recent suicide attempt. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Services

DOI: 10.1037/ser0001008

Authors: Kate Clauss, Vanessa C. Somohano, Benjamin J. Morasco, Emily A. Young, Catherine Medina-Jimenez, Lauren M. Denneson

Institutions: Portland VA Medical Center, VA Portland Health Care System, University of Florida

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs