Perceived barriers for mental health care during the process of reintegration
Perceived barriers for mental health care during the process of reintegration

Summary/Abstract: Background: A number of soldiers who participated in missions abroad, return home with abundant symptoms of mental problems. Some of them seek help and receive appropriate treatment, but for some of them the stigma represents a barrier for seeking treatment for the mental problems. Objective: This research is part of an extensive study of the entire cycle of deployment. The interest is focused on the period of reintegration into the area dealing with mental problems and seeking professional help. Method: 330 army personnel has been evaluated, participants in missions “Iraqi freedom”, ISAF and ALTEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The battery of applied instruments include: assessment of symptoms and reactions on PTSD (IES), resilience (ERS), reintegration (PDRS), social support (Ssup) and the perceived barriers for seeking treatment (Perceived Barriers). Results: The majority of respondents trust the mental health experts (73.6%) know where to seek help (79.7%) and trust that it helps (85.5%). But, the statements where stigmatization can be identified cause concern, such as: it is embarrassing to go to treatment (51.5%), it will affect my career (65.2%), the commanders would treat me differently (70.9%), and the colleagues will treat me as weakling (54.6%). Those with symptoms for health problems (PTSD) reported significantly more barriers to healthcare than those who do not have a high level on IES. Those with high level of social support and who are more resilient reported lower level of barriers for seeking treatment. Conclusions: The research has shown that there is still stigma that is associated with seeking professional help. Further research should detect these and other factors that will influence the reduction of the stigma. Appropriate and timely assessment and treatment, as well as, the availability of mental health experts are of great importance for the ARM in the process of adaptation and reintegration after deployment.

• Details
• Contents