Behavioral and Mental Health Issues Unique to the National Guard

The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) was asked to identify any studies, reports, and ongoing research on behavioral and mental health issues specific to the U.S. National Guard, including both the Army National Guard (ARNG) and the Air National Guard (ANG).

HDIAC located several organizations, such as the University of Buffalo (under the National Institutes of Health) and Military Reach at Auburn University, that conducted studies analyzing National Guard behavioral and mental health issues, resiliency, and the ability to reintegrate after mobilization.  Various long-term studies have been conducted in the past decade, which focused specifically on behavioral health and were funded by a variety of sources. Findings showed that Reserve and Guard members who demonstrated a lack of trust in their leadership tended to suffer worse mental stressors after a period of duty.  National Guard members also felt a stigma if they had not been mobilized and deployed overseas. Additional studies found that certain difficulties faced by National Guard members did not impact members of the reserves as a whole.  Because National Guard members often serve in disaster relief capacities (due to being called to active duty or mobilization for support under Title 32 of U.S. Code or State Active Duty) while witnessing the struggles of citizens living near them, their mental health is adversely affected.

Additionally, HDIAC was asked to provide a background on the history, culture, customs, and traditions of the U.S. National Guard. A brief overview of National Guard history ranging from the colonial period to the Global War on Terrorism was provided, along with several resources for further review.