Mental health symptoms among American veterans during the COVID-19 Pandemic

We examined the symptom trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety among 1,230 American veterans assessed online one month prior to the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States (February 2020) through the next year (August 2020, November 2020, February 2021). Veterans slightly increased mental health symptoms over time and those with pre-pandemic alcohol and cannabis use disorders reported greater symptoms compared to those without. Women and racial/ethnic minority veterans reported greater symptoms pre-pandemic but less steep increases over time compared to men and white veterans. Findings point to the continued need for mental health care efforts with veterans.

Automated summary

This study examined the symptom trajectories of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among 1,230 American veterans from one month prior to the COVID-19 outbreak until a year later. The findings showed that veterans experienced slightly increased mental health symptoms over time, with those struggling with alcohol and cannabis use disorders pre-pandemic showing greater symptoms. Women and racial/ethnic minority veterans had higher symptoms pre-pandemic but saw less steep increases over time compared to men and white veterans.