The research, commissioned separately by Edelman, the communications marketing leader, and the George W. Bush Institute’s Military Service Initiative, were released today at an event at the National Press Club. The event was co-sponsored by the two organizations and Give an Hour, the backbone organization for an effort to change the culture of mental health.

1. In October – November, Edelman conducted a study to assess the general
well-being of veterans in America. The objective of the study was to
compare the well-being of veterans and military personnel with non-
veterans and other key audiences when it comes to mental health in
particular. The study also explored perceptions of veterans and military
personnel and the issues they may encounter with securing employment.
The study revealed several key findings specifically related to veterans
and military personnel, non-veterans and employers. Overall, the study’s
findings imply that misperceptions of veterans exist among both
employers and the general public. These misperceptions stem from
negative assumptions about veterans’ mental health and general well-
being. Furthermore, the stereotyping of veterans as “heroes” may create
emotional distance between veterans and civilians, making it difficult for
community members to connect with veterans and see them as potential
colleagues.
What we found has led us to the strong conclusion that it is time to
change the way we talk about mental health. And to grasp that no one is
immune from experiencing mental health challenges, whether short-term
or chronic. All of us are affected by conditions that are invisible and cause
us emotional pain and suffering.
What we found has led us to the strong conclusion that it is time to
change the way we talk about mental health. And to grasp that no one is
immune from experiencing mental health challenges, whether short-term
or chronic. All of us are affected by conditions that are invisible and cause
us emotional pain and suffering.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
2016

2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 50
percent of Americans will face some mental health obstacles over
their lifetime, and that one in five has a diagnosable mental health
condition. Our survey, which used a broader definition, found that
one-in-three Americans say they experienced a mental health
challenge in the past year.
With so many of us experiencing mental health challenges, it is
also time to change the narrative about veterans and address the
misconceptions that exist about the mental health challenges they
experience. These misconceptions are damaging and can keep
veterans from securing the job opportunities that maximize their
skills and experience, and from seeking the care they may need.
Together, these findings spotlight the need to change our
perspective about mental health. Mental health is a critical aspect
of human functioning – whether you are a veteran or not. And
having a mental health challenge – or a diagnosable condition –
does not prevent you from being a good employee or an asset in
your community.
Edelman is committed to continuing to partner with others to
encourage a public dialogue that we hope can change the culture
around mental health and more effectively support those who
serve. We want to encourage the growth of a community:
To talk openly about our mental well-being just as we do our
physical well-being.
• To consider mental health a vital part of our overall well-being.
• To recognize that we each can experience mental health
challenges.
• To recognize that some of the wounds of war are invisible but
can be treated effectively.
• To ensure that service members, veterans and their families
seek and receive high-quality care that’s culturally competent.
• To challenge employers to recognize how military skills and
experience translate into job and leadership opportunities.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

3. In total, Edelman surveyed 2,055 individuals across the United States,
including non-veterans and civilians, veterans and military personnel,
health care providers, educators and employers. For the purposes of the
study, “well-being” was defined as “having financial stability, being
healthy (both mentally and physically), having the ability to have
meaningful relationships, and possessing a desirable job/career.”
***
Edelman would like to thank Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen and Dr. Randy
Phelps for their contributions to the development, analysis and
presentation of this study.
For more information about the study and these findings, please contact
John Edelman at John.Edelman@edelman.com.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
2016
METHODOLOGY

4. Mental health challenges exist for veterans
/military personnel and non-veterans alike.
While mental health challenges are particularly associated with veterans/military
personnel, non-veterans also experience mental health challenges. Of those
surveyed, one-third (33%) of non-veterans and 47% of veterans/military personnel
claim they’ve experienced a mental health challenge in the last year. While the CDC
reports that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental health condition, this
finding suggests that overall mental health challenges may be more prevalent. As a
result, mental health should be considered an issue that impacts everyone.
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
Q. Please complete the following sentence with one response. “Within the past year, I have/have not experience
a mental health challenge.” (n=615 Veterans/Military Personnel; n=1,000 Non-veterans; n=347 Employers)
47%
33%
43%
Figure 1. Experienced a Mental Health Challenge in the Past
Year
Veterans/Military Personnel Non-Veterans Employers
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

5. Veterans/military personnel care about their
mental well-being and the well-being of others.
Veterans/military personnel are as engaged in caring for their mental health as the
general public. Fifty-eight percent of the veterans/military personnel surveyed
regularly engage in activities to care for their mental health compared to 52% of
civilians. In addition, 91% of veterans/military personnel surveyed believe that their
mental health is as important as their physical health, on par with civilians (89%).
Q. How familiar are you with the following: recognizing
the signs of emotional suffering? (n=615
Veterans/Military Personnel; n=1,000 Non-veterans;
n=347 Employers)
63%
39%
51%
Veterans/Military Personnel
Non-Veterans
Employers
Figure 2. Familiarity with Signs of
Emotional Suffering
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
69%
59% 65%
Veterans/Miltary Personnel
Non-Veterans
Employers
Q. Please select how much you agree or disagree with the
following statement: “I know what to do when someone
needs help.” (Top 2 Box, n=615 Veterans/Military
Personnel; n=1,000 Non-veterans; n=347 Employers)
Figure 3. Know What to Do When
Someone Needs Help
More importantly, veterans/military personnel feel better equipped to recognize the
signs of mental health challenges. Sixty-three percent of veterans/military personnel
are familiar with signs of emotional suffering (compared to 39% of non-veterans), and
69% know how to help someone in need of emotional support. Finally,
veterans/military personnel (46%) say it would be easy to admit if they had a mental
health problem, compared to 48% of civilians and only 39% of employers. Altogether,
this data implies that veterans/military personnel are as in tune with their own
emotional well-being as non-veterans and are more likely to recognize others’
emotional suffering.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

6. Employers may have misperceptions of veterans’
mental health needs.
Employers particularly associate veterans with mental health challenges and assume
veterans don’t have access to mental health care. Of those surveyed, ninety-two
percent of employers feel that mental health programs are necessary to support
veterans in their communities, but only 16% believe veterans have good access to
mental health support.
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
Figure 4. Programs Needed to Support Veterans
78%
62%
82%
70%
43%
71%
92%
65%
88%
Mental Health Education Employment
Veterans/Miltary Personnel Non-Veterans Employers
Q. What kinds of support programs are needed in your community to support veterans?? (n=615 Veterans/Military
Personnel; n=1,000 Non-veterans; n=347 Employers)
Furthermore, employers have somewhat negative perceptions of individuals with
mental health challenges. Forty-five percent of employers believe that individuals
with mental health issues are more dangerous than those without, and only 26% of
employers believe that others are generally sympathetic toward individuals with
mental health concerns. This view toward mental health combined with employers’
pre-existing notions of veterans’ mental health needs could be negatively affecting
their perceptions of veteran applicants.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

7. Veterans have the skills employers want but their
lack of job-specific education/experience may be a
hurdle to securing employment.
Most employers believe that individuals with job-related education/experience will be
more successful in a position than those without. Of those surveyed, 76% agree that a
person is most effective in a role when he or she has experience/education in a
specific field vs. coming in with leadership experience in an unrelated field.
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
However, this doesn’t mean that veterans/military personnel don’t have the skills
employers want. When asked which skills/traits they believe are most important for a
job candidate to possess, employers list a sense of duty and responsibility (62%),
ethical person (61%), works effectively with others (59%) and is an effective
communicator (58%) as their top requirements. These are the exact skills and traits
veterans/military personnel believe they possess. Unfortunately, employers’
preference for individuals with job-related education/experience, combined with
some veterans (29%) inability to effectively translate their skills to new roles, may
be inhibiting veterans’ employment prospects.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

8. 2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
72%
75%
64%
66%
72%
72%
62%
77%
80%
83%
31%
38%
39%
40%
41%
45%
58%
59%
61%
62%
Experience working with a team through
challenging situations
Work well in a diverse environment
Strong inter-personal skills
Self-starter
Work in an organized manner
Ability to adapt effectively to adversity
Effective Communicator
Work Effectively with Others
Ethical Person
Sense of Duty and Responsibility
Employers Desire Veterans Possess
Figure 5. Skills Required for a Successful Job Candidate
Q. Which of the following skills do you believe are the most important for a person (i.e. job candidate ) to possess?
(n=347 Employers)
Q. Thinking about your overall ability, which of the following skills do you believe you possess? (n=615
Veterans/Military Personnel)
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

9. 2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
Veterans are recognized for their service but aren’t
seen as strategic assets in their communities.
Both non-veterans and employers view veterans/military personnel as “heroes” in
their communities, a perspective that could be interfering with more realistic
perceptions of who they are as people. Of those surveyed, 71% of civilians and 84% of
employers believe that veterans are viewed as “heroes” in their communities, and
both civilians (74%) and employers (76%) believe veterans should be portrayed in this
way to ensure they have opportunities.
F6. Current Perception of Veterans
36%
65%
34%28%
75%
22%
32%
84%
26%
Victims Heroes Strategic Assets
Veterans/Military Personnel Non-Veterans Employers
Q. In your opinion, how are veterans typically viewed? (n=615 Veterans/Military Personnel; n=1,000 Non-
veterans; n=347 Employers)
However, far fewer civilians (22%) and employers (26%) believe that veterans are
viewed as “strategic assets” in their communities and only 20% of civilians and 32%
of employers believe it is important to view veterans as such. Unfortunately,
veterans/military personnel also subscribe to this perspective; only 34% feel veterans
are viewed as strategic assets and only 37% of veterans/military personnel believe it
is important to see them this way.
Without the inclination to see veterans as assets, it could be difficult for non-
veterans and other groups to understand how veterans can benefit their
communities post-service. This, combined with the view of veterans as heroes, may
make it difficult for civilians and employers to see veterans as potential colleagues.
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

10. Overall, the study’s findings imply that misperceptions
of veterans exist among both employers and the
general public.
These misperceptions stem from negative assumptions about veterans’ well-being and mental health.
Furthermore, the stereotyping of veterans as “heroes” may create emotional distance between
veterans and civilians, making it difficult for community members to connect with veterans
and see them as potential colleagues.
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved

11. Audience Description Sample Size Margin of Error
Veterans/Military
Personnel
U.S. adults ages 18+ who currently or have previously
served in the armed forces
Note: Veterans and active military personnel were
analyzed both separately and in aggregate. In most
instances, there was no significant difference between
the groups and, as such, they have been reported in
aggregate for this briefing.
N=615 +/- 3.95%
Veterans
U.S. adults ages 18+ who have
previously served in any branch of
the armed forces
N=467 +/- 4.53%
Active Military
Personnel
U.S. adults ages 18+ currently serving
in any branch of the armed forces
N=147 +/-8.08%
Non-
veterans/Civilians
U.S. adults ages 18+ with no current or previous
military service
N=1,000 +/- 3.10%
Employers U.S. adults ages 18+ who have input into hiring
decisions at their company. They do not work in
healthcare, education or for a veteran service
organization. They are veterans and non-veterans.
Note: The veteran and non-veteran audiences were
analyzed both separately and in aggregate. In most
instances, there was no significant difference between
the groups and, as such, they have been reported in
aggregate for this briefing.
N=347 +/-5.26%
Educators/VSO
Employees
U.S. adults ages 18+ who work in education and/or for
a veteran service organization
N=150 +/- 8%
Health Professionals U.S. adults ages 18+ who work at a healthcare
organizations
N=197 +/- 6.98%
Methodology In-Depth: The Edelman Veterans Well-Being Study was conducted from
October 12- November 12, 2015. This 15-minute online survey was conducted among
n=2,055 respondents, n=1000 of whom were non-veterans and n=1055 of whom
were veterans/military personnel and/or employers, educators/VSO employees and
health professionals. The specific breakdown by group is as follows:
Respondents for the study were sourced from the following:
• Veterans, Employers, Educators/VSO Employees and Health Professionals were recruited from lists
provided by Illinois Joining Forces, The White House, Give an Hour and Student Veterans of America.
• Non-veterans were recruited from a paid online panel provided by Lucid.
2016 VETERANS WELL-BEING SURVEY
© 2016 Daniel J. Edelman Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved