Mental health impact of COVID pandemic on Veterans transitioning from military

Abstract: The COVID pandemic led to a sharp increase in anxiety, depression, stress, substance use, and other behavioral health conditions in the USA. Researchers have also examined the mental health impact of the COVID pandemic on US veterans. A 3-year longitudinal study examined self-reported psychiatric symptoms (i.e., positive screens for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or posttraumatic stress disorder) in a national representative sample of 2289 veterans. Another veteran study examined changes in psychiatric symptoms from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic. A further study examined the longitudinal impact of the pandemic on 398 veterans receiving outpatient mental health care. The current report examined the impact of the COVID pandemic on a group of veterans undergoing the transition from military to civilian life. As part of the evaluation study assessing an innovative employment program for transitioning veterans, study participants were interviewed before and during the COVID pandemic. In a secondary analysis of the longitudinal data from the evaluation study, the authors proposed three exploratory hypotheses based on published studies in both civilian and veteran samples. Participants completed their baseline assessments before the onset of the COVID-pandemic (between May 2018 and June 2019) and then completed 2-year follow-up interviews during the height of the pandemic or shortly post onset. In interviews conducted between August 2020 and December 2021, participants also responded to a new checklist, the COVID Pandemic Checklist, assessing how the pandemic impacted them. The study sample for the current secondary analysis consisted of participants completing the checklist. Participants had a mean age of 31.7; 82% were male, 43% White, 34% Black, and 16% Hispanic; and 65% were married. In terms of education at baseline, 62% had completed an associate’s degree, a technical certificate, and/or some college. At baseline, 70% had terminated from the military while the remainder were active-duty personnel who were about to leave the military. Over half of the sample were enlisted in the Army and a little over half served in a combat zone. The mean service-connected disability rating reported by participants was 73.7%. (Disability ratings ranged from 0 to 100%.) When comparing the characteristics of those who reported that their mental health was affected by COVID and those who were not, the samples did not differ on any characteristics, except marital status (unmarried veterans were more likely to be affected) and active-duty status at baseline (veterans who were on active duty at baseline were less likely to be affected). Over the 2-year follow-up period, 102 (94%) worked in a paid job, and 68 (62%) were employed at the time of the 2-year interview. Of 109 participants, 29 (27%) reported a negative impact on their employment status (job search more difficult, furloughed, laid off, job start delayed or discontinued because of pandemic). Most employed participants reported no changes to their work schedule or wages due to the pandemic. Among 64 employed veterans, 40 (63%) worked at their office/job site, while 24 (38%) worked remotely, mostly due to the pandemic. Contrary to the first hypothesis, the total sample had a nonsignificantly higher rate who tested positive for moderate depression at baseline (33.0%) than at 2-year follow-up (27.5%). At the time of the COVID Pandemic Checklist was completed, 22 (54%) in the affected group were employed compared to 47 (69%) in the unaffected group, χ2 = 1.06, p = 0.30. Thus, the hypothesis that employment would to be a protective factor mitigating the impact of the COVID pandemic was not confirmed. Young veterans with service-connected disabilities who have recently transitioned from the military often report depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms. Surprisingly, the COVID pandemic may have had little or no incremental impact on their depressive symptoms. The alarming rates of behavioral health problems among transitioning veterans have been well documented. They include heightened rates of suicide and opioid use. The parent study from which the current sample was drawn focused on helping veterans finding meaningful work. That focus may have promoted greater resiliency to cope with the pandemic.