Rural West Virginia Vets have higher rate of trauma risk

Study: Rural W.Va. vets at higher trauma risk

The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 11, 2008 9:37:31 EST

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new study shows that rural West Virginia veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan are more likely to suffer from mental health problems than their urban counterparts.

The analysis is based on the ongoing West Virginia Returning Soldiers Study, which has surveyed more than 930 veterans.

The study shows that about 56 percent of returning soldiers from rural counties suffer from post-traumatic distress and other mental health problems, compared to 32 percent of soldiers in urban areas and 34 percent of those living on out-of-state military bases.

Rural veterans are also at greater risk for suicide.

Hilda Heady, a rural health specialist at West Virginia University, says part of the problem is a lack of mental health care facilities in rural areas.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_wvruralvets_111108/