Veterans' Mental Health: Challenges and Issues of College Enrolled OIF and OEF Veterans

To help mental health professionals and college personnel better understand the mental health needs of returning veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, 39 veterans enrolled at a comprehensive State University completed questionnaires that surveyed their symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Depression. Irritability, outbursts of anger, feeling detached or estranged from others were the most frequently reported symptoms of PTSD. Depressed mood most of the day and sleep disorders were the most reported symptoms of depression. Five percent reported taking psychiatric medication and 31% had seen a counselor. Twenty-one percent met the criteria to receive a formal diagnosis of PTSD and 27% met criteria for Major Depression.