May is Women's Health Month. Women's Health Month serves as a reminder for all women to make their health a priority. This not only includes scheduling necessary appointments and vaccinations, but also living a healthy life. As the largest growing population of veterans, women veterans are projected to make up 18% of the veteran population by 2040. Additionally, veteran women have reported higher rates of mental health diagnoses than their male counterparts, as well as worsened mental health conditions in recent years. Not only are veteran women at a higher risk for experiencing post-service mental health issues, the suicide rate for veteran women has increased in recent years. In 2022, the suicide rate among veteran women was 92.4% higher than non-veteran women after adjusting for age. On a more positive note, the age-adjusted suicide rate decreased 24.1% among veteran women from 2021 to 2022. To further decrease this rate, reducing barriers to healthcare and improving women's health awareness among the veteran population is of utmost importance. Importantly, only 44% of veteran women utilize VHA services, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and preventing barriers to healthcare for student veteran women.

Barriers to Receiving VHA Care

Student veteran women may face more challenges to receiving healthcare than their traditional college student peers, many of whom may still be on their family plans. Many student veteran women have access to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services, however there are many barriers to receiving care that could put student veteran women at a higher risk than their non-veteran counterparts.

Several women report discrimination within VHA facilities as a barrier to care. Veteran women are often thought to not have served in combat roles, which is often not the case. Veteran women also describe discrimination and mistreatment from healthcare providers as a deterrent to seeking care within VHA facilities.

As VHA facilities primarily cater to men, there are limited facilities that cater to their veteran women population. Currently, there are 171 Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers and 1,112 outpatient sites of care serving veterans across the United States. Although every VA Medical Center has a Women Veterans Program Manager, medical centers do not reach every area of the United States. Although approximately 75% of women veterans report an urban residence, the number of rural veteran women is increasing, and veteran women in these areas could be at an elevated risk without access to a VA medical facility.

As a student veteran, women may not be aware of many of the healthcare benefits awarded to them. Additionally, it may be difficult to find time to attend appointments far from their campus if attending an in-person degree program. Additionally, as almost half of the student veteran population have children, lack of childcare facilities within the VHA system may serve as another barrier to receiving care.

Additionally, VHA facilities often have extended wait times for appointments. Sometimes stressed by looming deadlines and tests, student veterans cannot wait in long lines to receive care. Student veterans may also face challenges related to stigma of their military status among their peers. While not limited to student veteran women, these obstacles may be exacerbated as women on a college campus.

Facilitators to Receiving Care

However, there are many healthcare facilitators that can encourage women to seek treatment at VHA facilities. For example, many women report that they have experienced positive changes within VHA services, instilling hope in what VHA services could provide women in the future. Additionally, specific options (e.g., scheduling appointments through women's health departments within VHA) allows for enhanced access to care when compared to non-VHA services.

Resources for Higher Ed Professionals

Despite limitations, there are several ways in which higher education professionals can help student veteran women connect with care within the VHA system and local communities.

1. Connect with the VA. There is a direct VA line that solely works with women veterans trying to coordinate their healthcare services. Using this line, women can request a Women Veterans Program Manager that may be able to connect them with services. The number is 1-855-VA-WOMEN.

2. Utilize the VITAL program. The Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program works to link on-campus clinical care, local VA medical centers, and community resources to increase student veteran's unique strengths and challenges through education and training on campus following the transition to civilian student life. The VITAL program has several sites across the nation to help student veterans connect with resources in their communities.

3. Secure TRICARE services. If a student veteran is still serving or retired while attending an institution of higher education, they may be eligible for TRICARE. While these services have high premiums, and sometimes limited services depending on a student's location, obtaining TRICARE insurance for a short period of time may be a good option.

4. Find support on campus. Many universities have on-campus health resources for students from all backgrounds to utilize at no or low cost. Several institutions also include mental health counseling sessions at a reduced rate. These services could also be recommended to student veteran women who may be uncomfortable with or unable to receive care at a VHA facility.

There are several options for student veteran women looking to connect with VA or non-VA health services. Are there resources that your campus has found that could be useful to others?

If you or someone you know is thinking of ending their life, please call 988, then press 1 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Line.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success Women Veterans

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