Quantity over quality: the mental health services for Civil War veterans

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.M.A.Includes bibliographical referencesby Sarah A.M. For