The military health system has a major shortage of behavioral health providers, which often sends service members off base to seek care from civilian providers as they wait for spots to open up at a military treatment facility.
But the Defense Health Agency doesn’t track whether service members in crisis are receiving timely care out in town, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Tuesday, making it impossible to ensure that troops are getting the help they need or to fix any issues they have with obtaining care.
“Military service may carry a psychological cost for active-duty service members,” according to the report, which cites research showing that mental health diagnoses among troops quadrupled between 2005 and 2021. “If left untreated, such conditions can affect deployment readiness, among other negative consequences.”
Though the Defense Department is working to hire more staff, GAO found that more than 40% of the funded mental health provider positions within the military health system are vacant, creating vast shortages of care.
Providers prioritize urgent appointments for troops contemplating suicide, as well as initial appointments, at the expense of follow-ups, the GAO found, but military treatment facilities are still overwhelmed.
Referring to off-base civilian providers is a solution, but only if civilian providers are able to see patients faster than their DoD counterparts.
Within the military health system, the average patient was seen for an urgent appointment within 12 hours in 2022, while it takes about 15 days for a routine appointment ― well within the requirements of 24 hours for a crisis and 28 days for routine care.
RELATED
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (1) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/Zj8Wkv8-jcGUIVYRvyDwTk1wbmA=/800x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/4KREF2XRKZBNBIEXEU2E7QMWO4.jpg)
Military suicide rates mostly steady over past decade
The Pentagon is implementing a wide range of recommendations from an independent review finished earlier this year.
By MeghannMyers
But those standards don’t apply to troops who are sent off base, and GAO found that many of them are waiting much longer for appointments. Data from 2022 shows that the average service member waited between 17 and 23 days for an urgent appointment ― exponentially longer than would be allowed on base ― and more like 30 days for routine care.
The report recommends that the Defense Health Agency create and enforce a maximum wait time for troops seeking urgent behavioral health care from civilian providers.
In its response to the report, DHA agreed that a timeframe for off-base urgent appointments would be ideal, it would also be impossible to enforce.
While referrals must be processed within three days, and military providers generally get in contact with a civilian provider to hand off care, it’s then up to the service member to make the appointment, Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, DHA’s director, said in her response.
About MeghannMyers
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
In Other News
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (2) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/aq97xXfAt_i7JGFcV7yODz0CWbo=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/6QKL7XB3OJEILFNAUPUCQDWGJI.jpg)
More military commissaries to offer home grocery delivery this year
More troops and their families will be able to get groceries delivered directly to their doorsteps starting this summer.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (3) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/Alqtg6dTss9XqOtUpmCpG7j7RRo=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/IU3PESKY4FHU5CTPYBCKA77ERY.jpg)
Delta Force veteran charged with stealing grenades, fixed-wing drones
A former Delta Force soldier again faces federal criminal charges for allegedly stealing grenades and drones from his unit.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (4) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/zwkBwRBRyO-gtlGpUjX5OXa_FVA=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/JFAUWWDNPBVWSURYLJYVAZ3WK5.jpg)
Senior leaders worry DOD pay models don’t reflect demands on troops
Lawmakers and senior military leaders say that military pay needs to be based more on the role and responsibilites of troops, and not simply their age.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (5) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/8R9I2mK4p_AfqtycHooe_9XPUUg=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LOA743DEARDN5AKNHHVXX3DD7Q.jpg)
Lawmakers push VA to improve military sexual assault response
A bipartisan group of lawmakers want VA leaders to step up outreach efforts to military sexual trauma victims, calling it a critical need.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (6) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/ITgnCPtSdplHw8_D46K3R7qKxGM=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/VBUC4RFYN5EARC75ZWK3MKWOLA.jpg)
How one girl delivered hope amid a world of evil in ‘Zone of Interest’
'Zone of Interest' director Jonathan Glazer focused on sounds of the Holocaust to convey the horrors happening inside Auschwitz.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (7) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/IMuq7ubGVMAfriSfeZpu-7WHsLs=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/5QUH7OA2ENC4JP4RCVFXTWOJEU.jpg)
Afghanistan withdrawal errors came despite military concerns
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley testified before Congress on Tuesday about the mistakes leading up to the Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (8) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/pnMXLu7LVR09JVvYCbMRonPu7WQ=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/JZUJK3N6HBGYJMMS6YOGHWGJ7U.jpeg)
‘Ghosts’ of WWII to be honored with Congressional Gold Medal
Activated in 1944, the unit known as the Ghost Army was the first mobile, multimedia tactical deception outfit in U.S. Army history.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (9) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (9)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/JBk9JGkvxmcwcmNexWmRZq6D8e0=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/F22TO26BAZCM7NMTBQJTEATHHA.jpg)
Senators eye pay boost for junior troops, more funds for housing fixes
Both House and Senate lawmakers want to pass targeted pay raises for junior enlisted troops, but budget caps may complicate those plans.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (10) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/inMLykAZGtAuYM_yypFcZOtYAR4=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/LQPFOKL3I5BTVKA2NNQQ3YF46E.jpeg)
‘The Bloody Hundredth’ documentary puts real faces to TV show’s heroes
The 'Masters of the Air' companion documentary allows viewers to learn more about the larger-than-life troops depicted on the show.
![Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (11) Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.armytimes.com/resizer/s_O54vchxconAkxNpSGMxlTQ5vU=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/FMDCC5A7E5A3ZKVAQYSCTUQMLA.jpg)
Military landlords starting to install home EV charging stations
Thousands of military families in privatized housing can sign up to get EV chargers installed in their garages or carports.
Load More