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Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-2-2024
Year of Publication
2022
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Faculty
Dr. Laura Escobar-Ratliff
Abstract
Due to the long-lasting military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, current military members are likely to have deployed multiple times and have experienced chronic high-intensity stress. Numerous studies have demonstrated that military service members are at elevated risk for various psychiatric problems and substantially underutilize mental health services. This capstone consists of a series of academic papers: systematic review, conceptualization paper and practical application paper aimed at exploring barriers to care and conceptualizing possible solutions. The research question guiding the systematic review is what actual or perceived barrier to care has the most significant impact on solider under-utilization rates of mental health services. The findings indicated personal preference for self-management of mental health symptoms had the most significant impact on soldier utilization rates of mental health services. The conceptual and practical application paper integrates role theory to conceptualize possible solutions and advocates for the expansion of the Embedded Behavioral Health model by moving Behavioral Health Officers (BHOs) from brigade assets to the lower battalion echelon.
Recommended Citation
Hernandez, Amy, "Is Embedded Behavioral Health Embedded Enough? Why Behavioral Health Officers should be Battalion Level Assets" (2022). DSW Capstone Projects. 34.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/csw_grad_reports/34
