The lived experience of African American female Veterans with mental health utilization following active duty discharge
Abstract: Although extensive research has explored mental health, transitional barriers, and trauma-related experiences of women veterans, little research has focused on the utilization of mental health services by African American female veterans following active duty discharge. Minority female veterans tend to face gender treatment differences and racial biases, encounter trauma-related stressors, and experience the societal absence of military cultural competency when transitioning from active duty. The overall purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of African American female veterans with mental health service utilization following active duty discharge. A phenomenological research design was used to explore the experiences of 10 African American female veterans with mental health service utilization following active duty discharge. Results indicated that African American female veterans with mental health utilization following discharge from active duty experienced negative encounters, felt there was a lack of safe space at VA facilities, experienced emotional instability, encountered VA health-care system failure in some areas, lacked gender and race-specific providers, lacked mental health treatment options, offered generalized treatment, firmly believed that mental health care was influenced by faith, and used self-care to manage mental health. Eight out of 10 African American female veterans revealed some form of dissatisfaction with the VA Healthcare System. At some point, for continuity of care, some African American female veterans opted to use other healthcare facilities outside of the VA Healthcare System. It is essential for positive social change that the VA Healthcare System foster an environment that promotes diversity and support for African American female veterans.