New Study Sheds Light on Veterans’ Mental Health Needs in Border Communities

Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging for any veteran, but for those living along the U.S.–Mexico border, the hurdles are uniquely complex. A recent study published in Healthcare, shines a critical light on the mental health challenges and barriers veterans face in these underserved areas (Paat et.al., 2025).

Six Key Struggles Veterans Face Post-Service

The study titled “Mental Health Challenges and Barriers to Veterans’ Adjustment to Civilian Life on the U.S.–Mexico Border” explores the mental health and reintegration challenges faced by veterans in economically and medically underserved border regions. Conducted through in-depth interviews with 36 veterans, the study identified six central themes (Paat et.al., 2025):

1. Invisible Wounds of War
   Veterans reported living with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and sleep disruption—often compounded by social withdrawal and a constant sense of hypervigilance. Many expressed difficulties trusting others or participating in daily activities.
2. Military Mindsets That Don’t “Switch Off”
   The discipline and structure ingrained during service often clash with the unpredictability and informality of civilian life. Some veterans described a reluctance to show vulnerability or seek help, citing cultural pressure to remain “tough.”
3. Civilians Just Don’t Get It
   A recurring theme was the disconnect veterans felt with civilian society. Many struggled with a loss of identity, lack of routine, or the absence of camaraderie they once relied on. This cultural mismatch can leave veterans feeling isolated and misunderstood.
4. Family Friction
   Reintegration at home was often strained. Veterans shared how misunderstandings with spouses, emotional distance from children, or difficulty communicating their needs created tension in family dynamics.
5. Trauma Before and During Service
   Past experiences of abuse, military sexual trauma, and racial or gender-based discrimination added layers of pain. For some, these traumas intensified post-service mental health issues and reduced trust in systems meant to provide care.
6. Barriers That Block Progress
   Veterans cited challenges such as navigating complex healthcare systems, stigma around mental health, and a lack of culturally competent services, particularly in Latino-majority communities. Employment difficulties and limited financial support further restricted their ability to move forward.

 How Providers Can Help

For those supporting military-connected individuals, especially in border regions, these findings are a call to action:

1. Prioritize competent care. Veterans from Hispanic and other minority backgrounds may face additional stigma, language barriers, and mistrust in healthcare systems.
   • Hire bilingual/bicultural staff or partner with community health workers who reflect the population you serve.
   • Offer materials and counseling in the veteran’s preferred language.
   • Build care plans that foster trust and relevancy.
   • Validate experiences and recognize how they intersect with mental health.
2. Normalize Help-Seeing and Address Stigma. Many veterans internalize beliefs that asking for help is a sign of weakness, especially those trained to “suck it up” in military culture.
   • Use strength-based language that aligns with military identity (e.g., “mental fitness” rather than “mental illness”).
   • Frame therapy as a tool for performance and readiness, not weakness.
   • Integrate veterans into peer support groups where shared experiences can reduce stigma and build connection.
   • Offer confidential, low-barrier entry points for mental health services (e.g., community centers, churches, telehealth).
3. Engage Families in the Reintegration Process. Family tensions, misunderstandings, and communication breakdowns were a major theme in the study.
   • Include family members in care planning when appropriate.
   • Offer couple or family support programs to address parenting struggles, shifting household roles, and emotional distance.
   • Provide caregivers with their own support networks or training opportunities to understand military trauma and its impact on relationships.
4. Address Social Determinants and Everyday Stressors. Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum—employment instability, housing insecurity, food security, and lack of routine can compound veterans’ distress.
   • Identify veterans’ unmet needs such as food, transportation, and employment assistance.
   • Refer to or collaborate with local workforce centers, veteran service organizations, and educational institutions.
   • Help veterans reestablish structure and routine through goal setting, time management strategies, or reengagement with school or volunteering.
5. Improve Access to Mental Health Services. Geographical isolation and provider shortages on the border create significant access issues.
   • Offer flexible hours, walk-in options, and telehealth for those with mobility, transportation, or childcare constraints.
   • Develop mobile outreach programs in partnership with veteran-serving nonprofits.
   • Advocate for policy changes that expand funding and staffing for rural mental health care and veteran-specific services.

Final Thoughts

Veterans have served our country with courage and resilience. As providers supporting military-connected populations our role is to ensure they have the necessary support they need, especially in regions where services are limited and needs are high. By understanding their unique challenges and tailoring our support, we can help them reclaim their sense of purpose, connection, and wellness in civilian life.

Reference

Paat, Y., Dorado, A.V., Myers, N.W., Martinez, A., & Scully, S. (2025). Mental health challenges and barriers to veterans’ adjustment to civilian life on the U.S. – Mexico Border. Healthcare. 13(220). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13030220