Why Veterans Struggle to Find Psychiatrists Who Understand
You served your country. You did things most people can’t imagine. And now that you’re home, you’re supposed to just… adjust. Go back to normal life. Be fine.
But you’re not fine. And finding a psychiatrist who actually understands what you’ve been through feels impossible.
You’re not alone. Many veterans struggle to connect with mental health providers who don’t have military experience. The terminology is different. The culture is different. The experiences are different. And explaining all of that to someone who’s never served gets exhausting.
At MindWell Psychiatric Services, we get it, because we’ve been there.
The Problem With Most Civilian Providers
Most psychiatrists are good at their jobs. But treating veterans requires more than clinical knowledge. It requires understanding.
They don’t speak your language. Military culture has its own vocabulary, its own dark humor, its own unspoken rules. When you have to stop and explain what a deployment cycle feels like or why you can’t just “talk about it,” you’re doing extra work that takes away from actual treatment.
They may not recognize military-specific trauma. Combat isn’t the only thing that causes PTSD. Military sexual trauma, moral injury, survivor’s guilt, the stress of constant relocations, and toxic leadership; these experiences don’t always fit neatly into civilian frameworks.
They underestimate the transition. Leaving the military isn’t just a career change. It’s an identity shift. You go from a structured environment with a clear mission to… figuring it out on your own. That transition causes real mental health challenges that civilian providers often overlook.
They don’t understand the stigma you’re fighting. Asking for help goes against everything you were trained to do. A provider who doesn’t understand that barrier might not understand why you waited so long to come in, or why you might not come back.
What Veterans Actually Need From a Psychiatrist
Finding the right provider can make the difference between treatment that works and treatment you give up on.
Someone who’s been there. A provider with military experience doesn’t need the backstory. They understand the culture, the pressures, and the unique challenges veterans face.
Someone who listens first. You’re not a checklist. You’re not just your diagnosis. A good psychiatrist takes time to understand your full picture, your service history, your symptoms, and your goals.
Someone who treats the whole person. Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, chronic pain—these things overlap. You need a provider who can address everything together.
Someone who respects your time. You dealt with enough bureaucracy in the military. You shouldn’t have to wait months for an appointment or spend hours on hold just to get help.
Common Mental Health Challenges Veterans Face
Military service changes you. Some of those changes show up as mental health conditions that respond well to treatment:
PTSD — Not just from combat. Any traumatic experience during service can lead to PTSD. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.
Depression — The transition out of the military, loss of purpose, survivor’s guilt, and isolation all contribute to depression in veterans.
Anxiety — Constant alertness during service can turn into chronic anxiety at home. You might struggle to relax, feel on edge, or have trouble sleeping.
Substance use — Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs is common when other help isn’t available. Addressing the underlying mental health condition makes recovery possible.
Moral injury — This is the deep shame or guilt that comes from experiences that violated your moral code. It’s different from PTSD and requires different treatment approaches.
If any of this sounds familiar, a psychiatric evaluation can help you understand what’s going on and what treatment options are available.
Why MindWell Is Different
MindWell Psychiatric Services was founded by Michael Kuron, MSN, APRN, PMHNP, a Navy veteran who served as a Corpsman attached to the US Marines, including a deployment to Iraq.
After the military, Michael spent years working at the VA in inpatient mental health, giving him firsthand experience with the challenges veterans face. He saw firsthand how hard it is to find a provider who actually listens, one who treats you like a person, not a number.
That’s why he opened MindWell.
What you can expect:
- A provider who understands military culture without needing an explanation
- 60-minute initial evaluations, not rushed 15-minute appointments
- Same-day appointments available for cash-pay patients
- Telehealth options after your initial in-person visit
- Medication management that’s personalized to your needs
- Genetic testing to find the right medication faster
Insurance for Veterans
MindWell accepts insurance plans commonly used by veterans:
- CHAMPVA
- Tricare
- TriWest
- Plus, most major commercial insurance plans
No insurance? We offer self-pay options and same-day appointments for cash-pay patients.
You Don’t Have to Keep Pushing Through
You were trained to tough it out. To push through. To handle things on your own.
But getting help isn’t weakness. It’s doing what needs to be done so you can actually live your life, not just survive it.
If you’re a veteran in Las Vegas struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or anything else, MindWell is here for you. We understand where you’ve been. And we’re ready to help you move forward.
Contact MindWell Psychiatric Services to schedule an appointment with a provider who gets it.
