Utilization of Supportive Programs in the National Guard

Abstract

Military service poses stressors for many service members (SMs). Accordingly, support programs exist to address these demands, but these services are often underused. This article uses data from a needs assessment survey of SMs from the Idaho and Utah Air and Army National Guard (NG; N = 997). SMs were asked if they had heard of and used available mental health or transition assistance programs. Although usage rates were low overall, our analyses supported a “target population” hypothesis. We found that increases in mental health symptoms predicted mental health program use and military deployment was associated with increased transition assistance program use. Social workers can benefit from knowledge of available yet underused military programs to assist SMs. This study also sheds light on which subpopulations of the NG are less likely to use supportive programs and may benefit from additional outreach. This information can be used as a starting point for interventions to increase support given to SMs.