Linking National Guard Veterans With Need to Mental Health Care

• Mental Health service utilization [ Time Frame: Pre and Post implementation of B2B program ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• presence/absence of mental health or substance use symptoms as operationalized as significant depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score > 10), significant PTSD symptoms (PCL-M score >50) OR hazardous drinking (Audit score >8) [ Time Frame: post B2B implementation ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

This project will add an evaluation/research component to an existing peer outreach program, now implemented for over 1100 soldiers in the Michigan Army National Guard. The study aims are to: 1) evaluate the implementation of the B2B program to inform ongoing program modifications and facilitate future dissemination efforts, 2) assess whether the B2B program increases mental health and substance use treatment initiation and treatment retention among returning National Guard soldiers, and 3) explore whether the B2B program improves mental health symptoms, deceases hazardous alcohol use, and improves soldier well-being.

The study aims are to: 1) evaluate the implementation of the B2B program to inform ongoing program modifications and facilitate future dissemination efforts, 2) assess whether the B2B program increases mental health and substance use treatment initiation and treatment retention among returning National Guard soldiers, and 3) explore whether the B2B program improves mental health symptoms, deceases hazardous alcohol use, and improves soldier well-being.

The study has three components which address each of the three specific aims. The first component will assess B2B implementation using an embedded mixed methods design. This evaluation will include real-time assessment and adaptation of the program, as well as retrospective evaluation of implementation process, sustainability, and potential for spread. The second component will address the impact of B2B on treatment initiation and retention, using an interrupted time series design to assess Michigan National Guard soldiers' VA and non-VA services use in multiple time periods before and after the date of B2B implementation. We will also compare MI ARNG soldiers' services use to that of soldiers in comparison NG Organizations in two contiguous Midwestern states who return from deployment during the same time periods. The third study component will assess the impact of B2B on MI ARNG and comparison NG soldiers' outcomes using longitudinal survey data and adjusting for baseline mental health status using data from the Post Deployment Health Assessment (PDHA).

MI, IN, and OH ARNG

• Group 1
  National Guard leadership, Buddies, and soldiers
• Group 2
  Michigan State Army National Guard soldiers who have returned from OEF/OIF deployments starting December 2008
• Group 3
  Indiana State Army National Guard soldiers who have returned from OEF/OIF deployments starting December 2008
• Group 4
  National Guard members from Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana who returned from OEF/OIF deployments after September 30, 2003

Inclusion Criteria:

• Returning MI ARNG member participating in the Buddy-to-Buddy program

Exclusion Criteria:

• None