Background Although research conducted within the military has assessed the health and
mental health problems of military personnel, little information exists about personnel who
seek care outside the military. The purpose of this study is to clarify the personal
characteristics, mental health diagnoses, and experiences of active duty US military
personnel who sought civilian sector services due to unmet needs for care. Materials and
Methods This prospective, multi-method study included 233 clients, based in the United …

… We aimed to clarify the characteristics and experiences of active duty US military personnel
who sought services outside the military. Methods: This multi-method study included 233
clients who obtained care from a nationwide network of volunteer civilian practitioners.
Intake and follow-up interviews captured demographic characteristics, … Regression
analyses identified predictors of psychiatric disorders, suicidality, and absence without leave
(AWOL). Qualitative analyses of clients’ narratives clarified their experiences and reasons for …