Combat Duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mental Health Problems, and Barriers to Care

U.S. combat infantry units who deployed to OIF/OEF (3 Army, 1 Marine Corps) completed an anonymous survey to assess the mental health of Service members and to determine use and barriers to accessing mental health services. Service members who deployed to Iraq had higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who deployed to Afghanistan. Service members who deployed to Iraq reported high levels of combat experiences (e.g., being shot at or attacked, seeing dead bodies).