Mental Health Services for Civil War Veterans

By Sarah A M Ford

The mental health care crisis among military veterans in the United States has

become a national concern in recent years, sparking questions regarding the quality of

psychological care provided by veteran's welfare programs. However, this is not a

contemporary issue as the field of veteran's psychological support has experienced a

tumultuous evolution since the formation of the country. One of the

most influential events that sparked this evolution was The Civil War. The mental health

services provided to Civil War veterans immediately following the war was limited to

severe cases of mental illness. Veterans who experienced mild to moderate symptoms

relied on a range of sources for support, from family and community care to

governmental assistance programs, which included soldier homes and the pension

system. While these services didn't directly address issues of mental health, they were

often repurposed to assist psychologically disabled veterans. This patchwork system of

aid provided veterans with medical care, shelter, and financial compensation. However, the pension system and soldier homes enforced eligibility requirements for services

significantly limiting the accessibility of such aid. As the requirements for eligibility

eased, more psychologically disabled veterans qualified for governmental aid. The

remainder of veterans who continued to be unqualified for professional assistance turned

to the only source of support left: their families and communities. Alone these sources

were inadequate in providing the necessary support for many psychologically disabled

veterans. Together, they created a patchwork system of support that provided Civil War

veterans with a variety of care options with a range of basic treatments, which often

proved to be ineffective by 19th century standards. This quantity over quality approach to

treating psychological disorders expanded the coverage of care for veterans but it failed

to improve its services leaving countless veterans without proper support.

As contemporary veteran's welfare programs continue to approach the mental health

crisis with a similar philosophy emphasizing extensive yet ineffective treatments, it's

critical to understand how this system of care benefited and ultimately hindered

psychologically disabled veterans.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CR1QR84P
• ISBN13: 9798869082923
• Release Date: December 2023
• Publisher: Sanjoy
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.0" x 9.0"