Barriers to mental health treatment for military wives.

OBJECTIVE An Internet-based survey sought information about barriers to mental health services for military wives. METHODS On the basis of qualitative work, an Internet-based program was created to identify military wives who may have major depressive disorder. RESULTS Women (N=569, ages 18 to 56) were recruited from 45 states and eight foreign countries. Most participants (78%) reported mild to severe depression. Many (44%) reported unaddressed mental health needs. Barriers included inability to attend daytime appointments (38%), inability to find a counselor who understands the needs of military spouses (35%), inability to find a counselor the participant could trust (29%), concerns about confidentiality (26%), and lack of knowledge about where to get services (25%). The barriers reported differed markedly from those described by distressed women in the general population. CONCLUSIONS Military wives are an underserved population. Knowledge of military culture is essential for civilian mental health providers working with military wives.