Veteran Mental Illness and System Justification Theory Rates of mental illness are increasing among veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This social problem has had significant consequences, such as an increase in homelessness, unemployment and suicides among this population. Many say there are too many barriers to mental health treatment in a society that stigmatizes mental illness and undervalues ​​mental health care. Research supports this assertion, particularly within the veteran population (Greene-Shortridge, Britt, & Castro, 2007). System justification theory offers an explanation for why society stigmatizes mental illness despite the devastating consequences of treatment underutilization. As noted previously, system justification theory suggests that individuals possess a motivation to justify and rationalize the status quo. According to this theory, stereotypes are often used to reinforce the status quo, because they easily explain differences between groups and thus justify inequalities. The most common stereotypes about mental illness in Western society are that those who suffer from it are dangerous, incompetent, and personally responsible for their illness (Dickstein, Vogt, Handa, & Litz, 2010). It's no surprise that such stereotypes have given rise to the persistent stigma around mental illness that exists today. Corrigan, Watson, and Ottati (2003) argue that this strong stigma has legitimized a historically inequitable treatment system for people with mental illness. As early as the Middle Ages, mentally ill people were sent to prison because they were perceived as dangerous. Beginning in the 19th century, they were transferred to asylums and hospitals due to the widely held belief that they were not only dangerous, but also...... middle of paper ......king_of_an_american_soldier% 3AMurali, V. & Oyebode, F. (2004). Poverty, social inequalities and mental health. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 10, 216-224. Rovner, J. and Cornish, A. (November 8, 2013). White House releases long-awaited rules on mental health. NPR. Accessed April 27, 2014 from Tanielian, T. and Jaycox, L. (eds.). (2008). Invisible wounds of war: psychological and cognitive injuries, their consequences and recovery support services. Retrieved April 27, 2014 from Today, M. (August 15, 2008). Multiple deployments increase mental health risks. ABC News. Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/story?id=5589589 Tyson, AS (November 4, 2005). Young people in rural areas of the United States are attracted to the military. Washington Post. Retrieved April 26, 2014 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2005/11/03/AR2005110302528.html