Building capacity to care for Veterans and families: Results of a mental health service provider needs assessment
Abstract: Introduction: Community mental health service providers are an integral element of support in the Canadian mental health system for Veterans, yet their capacity needs specific to caring for Veterans is not well understood. Methods: A national needs assessment survey was disseminated to mental health service providers who care for Canadian Armed Forces Veterans and retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police members using a multi-pronged strategy. Outreach focused on community providers registered to deliver services to Veterans Affairs Canada clients, to understand capacity needs, including cultural competency needs. An optional sub-survey assessed capacity needs specific to providing services to those impacted by military sexual trauma. Descriptive analysis of these data was conducted. Results: There were 696 people who completed the survey, 669 of whom identified as a service provider. Most respondents (509) agreed to participate in the sub-survey. Of the service provider respondents, 76% were trained in cognitive behavioural therapy. Of the respondents who completed the sub-survey, 12% reported receiving specialized training in caring for someone impacted by military sexual trauma. Discussion: While most respondents had training in at least one of the evidence-based therapies for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respondents had the least training in prolonged exposure therapy and cognitive processing therapy, despite these being strongly recommended in PTSD treatment guidelines. It is unclear from the survey how closely evidence-based therapies are being delivered with fidelity to their protocols. There is a dearth of training among service providers in sexual trauma, signalling an area for future training development.