Perceived Barriers to Medical Care and Mental Health Care Among Veterans With Serious Mental Illness

This study examined perceived barriers to mental health care and medical care and the relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics and perceived barriers among veterans with serious mental illness. Veterans diagnosed as having serious mental illnesses, hospitalized for psychiatric concerns, and at risk for treatment dropout (N=136) completed an interview as part of a larger study of a critical time intervention. Many participants perceived barriers to accessing mental health care (67%) and medical care (60%). Personal factors were cited most often as barriers; overall, however, personal barriers were more likely to be perceived to impede mental health care (56%) than medical care (43%). Psychiatric symptoms were associated with greater perceived barriers to mental health care and medical care. Veterans with serious mental illness at risk of treatment dropout perceived barriers to mental health care and medical services. Strategies to overcome barriers are needed and should target illness-related factors that may impede service use.