Background of "Why Ask"

A page dedicated to the history behind the initiative.

Background

  • NH Legislative Commission on PTSD and TBI in 2011 was established with goal aimed at stigma reduction, education and military-civilian integrated care.                                                                                                        
  • A statewide survey of veterans was conducted in 2012 to identify barriers to military-veteran populations accessing needed care. - Veterans identified one of the biggest challenges was not feeling understood by the providers…a strong need to coordinate efforts between military and civilian providers while accessing care for military service.                                                                                                                                                                   
  • A survey of NH Veterans in 2013 asked Veterans “What are your barriers in accessing care?” (1,200 respondents)
    • Top barrier in accessing care – “stigma”
    • Second barrier in accessing care – “…do not feel understood by the providers…”
    • Third barrier in accessing care – “…don’t know where to go; nothing available for me; now one wants to help me; no one wants to help…”
       

 

What is Ask the Question?

The practice of ATQ is an initiative designed to encourage individual providers across NH to ask clients if they or a family member ever served in the military and to provide information and assistance to them on what to do if the answer is “Yes”.

What is the current goal of ATQ in the Granite State?
To enable the follow-on discussion and open the door to culturally competent care, supporting referrals, and identifying earned benefits and resources for the Service Member, Veteran and Family Member that might not otherwise have been addressed  

Why is that so important?
Whether addressing a Veteran’s wellness (physical and mental) needs, finding the right Women’s Services, Child Services, attaining gainful employment, addressing the challenges of housing stability, navigating through a wide range of social services, leveraging earned educational benefits, managing interactions with law enforcement and emergency services, questions on substance use and crisis centers, questions on faith based support, seeking legal assistance, engaging town clerks and municipalities, finding applicable aging and senior services…

Asking the Question enables a targeted response to the Veteran’s specific situation and operationalizes getting after the “What’s Next” to address the need.