By Troy Allan | June 24, 2025

Veterans in Utah: Services, Gaps, and Opportunities

 Flag behind an American flag

Introduction

Utah’s veteran population reflects both a proud legacy of service and an urgent call for targeted support. With 129,783 veterans residing in the state—ranking 49th nationally for veteran population density—nearly half are over the age of 65, and many live in rural areas where poverty, isolation, and limited access to care are common (Figure 1 and Table 1; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [hereafter, “VA”], 2023; Utah Commission on Aging, n.d.). While the overall veteran population in Utah is projected to continue to decline over the next decade (VA, n.d.), the need for aging-related services continues to rise as older veterans face medically complex conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease (VA Office of Rural Health, 2023b). The next generation of veterans will bring additional needs, including long-term care and support for combat-related injuries and chronic mental health concerns.

Utah's veteran populations graphed by age
Figure 1. Utah’s Veteran Population by Age
Data source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2025, March 26)

Unfortunately, suicide continues as a leading cause of death among veterans. Nationally, in 2022, it was the second-leading cause of death among veterans under age 45 (VA, 2024). These statistics highlight the ongoing mental health crisis within the veteran population and the pressing need for accessible, community-based solutions, particularly in rural areas where care gaps are greatest. Findings from national and regional samples indicate that geographic isolation and access barriers underlie heightened mental health and suicide risks among rural veterans (Kritee Gujral et al., 2022).

This fact sheet, the first in a series, provides an overview of veteran services in Utah, identifying existing resources, areas of unmet need, and opportunities for strategic investment. It is intended for veterans, policymakers, community leaders, and organizations committed to strengthening the health and well-being of Utah’s veteran community, with particular attention to those aging in rural and underserved areas.

Table 1. Veteran Population in Utah Counties

County Veterans % of County County Veterans % of County
Beaver 295 6.4 Piute 105 7.1
Box Elder 2,550 6.6 Rich 155 9.3
Cache 3,670 4.0 Salt Lake 37,345 4.4
Carbon 1,023 6.9 San Juan 530 5.2
Daggett 20 5.3 Sanpete 962 4.5
Davis 17,835 7.4 Sevier 1,260 8.3
Duchesne 642 4.9 Summit 1,462 4.6
Emery 542 7.8 Tooele 3,646 7.6
Garfield 240 6.2 Uintah 1,276 5.3
Grand 438 5.7 Utah 14,819 3.4
Iron 2,333 5.9 Wasatch 1,006 4.3
Juab 425 5.6 Washington 10,891 8.3
Kane 557 9.3 Wayne 148 7.7
Millard 608 6.9 Weber 13,420 7.2
Morgan 541 6.9 - - -

Note. Additional information can be found at Veterans Data Central.

Key Challenges and Needs

Access to Healthcare

Veterans in rural Utah often face significant barriers to accessing healthcare due to geographic isolation, limited transportation, and challenges navigating the VA system. The George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center in Salt Lake City is the state’s only VA hospital, with community-based outpatient clinics located in Logan, Ogden, Orem, Price, Roosevelt, South Jordan, and St. George. While telehealth and community care services are expanding, they remain underused, often due to limited awareness, digital access issues, or the complexity of VA enrollment processes (VA, 2023a). To help address these challenges, the Veterans Health Administration’s Office of Rural Health established the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Salt Lake City (VRHRC-SLC), which leads efforts to improve care delivery in rural areas through research, program development, and technical support. The center focuses on rural health priorities such as suicide prevention, chronic disease management, geriatric care, and caregiver support (VA, 2023b). Supporting the VRHRC-SLC is essential to strengthening healthcare access and outcomes for Utah’s rural veteran population.

Long-Term Care

Man in wheelchair with American flag draped around shoulders

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA) oversees four state veterans homes in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Payson, and Ivins. Operated by contracted healthcare providers, these facilities offer skilled nursing and memory care for aging and disabled veterans (UDVMA, n.d.). However, home- and community-based care options remain insufficient to meet demand, particularly in rural regions. Contributing factors include a shortage of trained in-home caregivers, limited access to VA-approved home care services in outlying areas, and geographic barriers that make it difficult to deliver consistent support (VA, 2023; National Rural Health Association, 2013). As a result, many veterans who prefer to age in place are left without the resources they need to remain safe and independent at home. Addressing this gap will require coordinated investment in rural service delivery, caregiver training, veteran-specific support programs, delivery modalities, and payment methods (Shiner et al., 2022).

Mental Health Support

Mental health challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are increasingly prevalent among veterans. These mental health concerns can ultimately lead to suicide. Approximately 14% of male and 24% of female veterans using VA healthcare services have been diagnosed with PTSD (VA, 2024). Despite the availability of mental health programs in Utah and nationally, stigma remains a significant barrier to care. Many veterans avoid seeking help due to concerns about being perceived as weak or fearing negative career impacts (Sharp et al., 2015). This stigma, combined with logistical challenges such as transportation and limited provider availability in rural areas, contributes to underusing mental health services (RAND Corporation, n.d.). Addressing these barriers through targeted outreach, expanded telehealth, and increased community-based peer support programs is essential to improving mental health outcomes for Utah’s veteran population and ultimately decreasing suicide.

Financial Security

Many Utah veterans live on fixed incomes, and rising housing and healthcare costs may strain their financial well-being. While some rely on VA disability compensation or perhaps Social Security, others face underemployment or disqualification from assistance programs due to marginal income levels (National Veterans Homeless Support, 2025). Navigating the complexities of VA pensions, disability benefits, and Social Security can be overwhelming, leading many veterans to underuse or miss out on available support (VA, 2025, April 16). The VA offers a range of online financial literacy tools, including the Veterans Benefits Banking Program (VBBP), which provides access to free financial counseling through the Association of Military Banks of America, and the FINVET National Financial Resource Center, which supports veterans in developing budgeting and debt management skills. Additional tools include the Beneficiary Financial Counseling Service (BFCS) for life insurance beneficiaries and downloadable guides on fraud prevention, saving, and investment tips from partnering federal agencies. Despite these national resources, Utah seemingly lacks veteran-specific financial education programs that address the unique challenges of aging and rural veterans. However, community-based efforts, such as financial literacy classes offered by institutions like Zions Bank, have shown promise in reaching military-connected individuals (Zions Bank, n.d.). Expanding access to in-person, veteran-tailored financial coaching, particularly in rural counties, could significantly improve long-term stability and retirement planning for Utah’s veterans.

Social Isolation

Woman holding head in hands

Loss of military camaraderie and difficulty finding veteran communities contribute significantly to loneliness and depression among veterans. In rural Utah, geographic distance and limited transportation options often prevent veterans from attending in-person events, accessing peer networks, or engaging in veteran service organizations, most of which are centralized in urban areas. Interestingly, reducing social isolation has been found to mediate the relationship between food insecurity and depressive symptoms among rural veterans, underscoring the interconnected challenges they face (Uwashimimana et al., 2025). Veterans in rural Utah may have barriers to healthcare and meaningful connections. Research shows that social dynamics in rural communities influence health and veterans’ willingness to engage with support systems, particularly for older rural women veterans who often feel excluded from male-dominated networks and organizations (Ward et al., 2020). While a few national programs, such as Project Odyssey and the Wounded Warrior Project, offer valuable opportunities for connection and recreation (Wounded Warrior Project, n.d.), Utah could focus additional efforts on building a stronger network of community-based, veteran-specific programs designed to combat social isolation, particularly in rural areas. Expanding local outreach and peer engagement opportunities could be transformative for the mental and emotional well-being of Utah’s rural veterans.

Policy Recommendations and Opportunities for Growth

  • Expand funding. Expand state funding for veteran mental health services, particularly in rural areas. Utah veterans, especially those in remote locations, face barriers to accessing mental health services due to geographic isolation, provider shortages, and stigma. Increased state funding should focus on expanding telehealth services, mental health provider recruitment, and veteran-specific counseling programs, including equine-assisted therapy, gardening, and other nature/awe-based programs.
  • Develop programs. Develop a Utah-based agriculture training program modeled after successful programs like Battle Ground to Breaking Ground at Texas A&M or Frontline to Farm at Appalachian State University. Agriculture provides meaningful employment and therapeutic benefits for veterans. A Utah-based program should offer hands-on training, financial support for new farmers, and partnerships with agricultural organizations to help veterans transition into farming careers.
  • Increase awareness. Increase awareness and employer incentives for hiring veterans through workforce development grants. Many veterans struggle to translate military skills into civilian employment. Expanding workforce development grants and offering tax incentives to veteran-friendly employers can encourage more businesses to hire and train veterans.
  • Provide housing. Support affordable housing initiatives targeted at reducing veteran homelessness. Many veterans, particularly those with disabilities or fixed incomes, struggle with housing instability. Expanding state funding for veteran-specific housing projects, rental assistance, and transitional housing programs can provide more stable and affordable housing solutions.
  • Provide long-term care. Prioritize long-term care funding for aging veterans and increase access to long-term care homes and home-based care programs. (This may also include Alzheimer’s and dementia care.) As nearly half of Utah’s veterans are over age 65, the demand for specialized long-term care facilities is increasing. Expanding long-term care home capacity, home health programs, and financial assistance for caregivers can ensure aging veterans receive the support they need.
  • Dispel isolation. Expand social programs to combat isolation and provide aging veterans with greater community engagement opportunities. Aging veterans often experience social isolation, which contributes to mental and physical health decline. Increasing funding for veteran community centers and recreational programs can foster stronger social connections and improve overall well-being.
  • Provide peer support. Expand and formalize peer support group programming for veterans across Utah. Peer support groups offer a unique and powerful resource for veterans, particularly those in rural or underserved areas. These groups provide safe, nonclinical spaces where veterans can connect through shared experiences, reduce stigma, and support one another through mental health challenges, grief, identity shifts, or reintegration stresses. Studies show that peer-led interventions can reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression while increasing engagement with other forms of care. Utah should invest in peer facilitator training, regional outreach, and dedicated meeting spaces to ensure peer support is accessible statewide. Partnerships with VA Vet Centers, Together With Veterans, and veteran service organizations can strengthen the reach and impact of these efforts.

Statewide Support Programs

Program Description Program Description
Utah Department of Veterans & Military Affairs (UDVMA) Assist veterans with benefits, claims, and advocacy. Utah Homeless Veterans Fellowship Provide transitional housing and support services for homeless veterans.
VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System Provide primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Operation Combat Boots This Utah-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation is dedicated to helping Utah military veterans by providing gym and fitness club memberships to discharged Utah veterans at no cost.
Utah Long Term Care Provide long-term care for aging veterans in state-run facilities. Continue Mission Continue Mission (CM) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Utah veterans and service members with physical, mental, and emotional injuries and their family/support members.
Utah Veterans Business Resource Center (VBRC) Support veteran entrepreneurs with training and mentorship. Operation Pay It Forward Show our appreciation for our fighting veterans by connecting them with others that share the same passions and are willing to get them into the outdoors to enjoy life again.
COVER to COVER COVER to COVER bridges knowledge gaps about VA eligibility and enrollment by training and educating community-based agency staff in VA benefits and processes. St. George Veterans Center This center stands as a pillar of support, offering confidential help for veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a nonmedical setting.
Utah Veteran Alliance Recognize and show appreciation to Utah’s military community through service and by raising public awareness of vets’ needs. University & College Veterans Programs Help service members, veterans, and their families (SMVF) to thrive and succeed at Utah universities. Their mission is fostering supportive community for SMVF students, both in and out of the classroom.

How To Get Involved

People riding horses
USU Extension’s Ride Utah! program facilitates a trail ride and moderated group discussion experience to support military personnel, improving mental health.
  • Volunteer. Engage with veteran service organizations such as the VA, Utah Veterans Alliance, or local nonprofits and county agencies. Opportunities include mentoring, providing transportation to medical appointments, assisting with job training, or supporting recreation programs for veterans.
  • Advocate. Support policy changes and initiatives that improve veteran healthcare, mental health services, and long-term care options. This can include writing to legislators, participating in public forums, or working with local government agencies to create more veteran-friendly policies.
  • Partner with existing programs. Collaborate with universities, businesses, and nonprofits to develop new initiatives for veteran education, employment, and long-term care. Organizations can create internship programs, provide skills training, or offer veteran-specific support services.
  • Engage with veteran-owned businesses. Support veteran entrepreneurs by shopping at veteran-owned businesses, promoting their services, and encouraging local businesses to hire and mentor veterans.
  • Donate. Contribute to nonprofits and community organizations that provide direct assistance to veterans, including those offering mental health resources, housing support, and career training programs. Consider sponsoring veteran-focused events or supporting scholarship funds for veterans and their families.
  • Create local community programs. Work with churches, community centers, and local organizations to create veteran-focused social programs, including peer support groups, outdoor adventure programs, and arts-based therapy initiatives. Encouraging social connection and mental well-being can make a significant impact.
Additional Resources Utah VA Medical Services
Facility: George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Address: 500 Foothill Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84148
Phone: 801-582-1565
Website: https://www.va.gov/salt-lake-city-health-care/
Services: comprehensive medical and mental health services for veterans.
Veterans Crisis Line
Phone: Dial 988, then press 1
Text: 838255
Website: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net
Services: 24/7 confidential support for veterans, service members, and their families. 		Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA)
Address: 550 Foothill Blvd, Suite 105, Salt Lake City, UT 84113
Phone: 801-326-2372
Email: veterans@utah.gov
Website: https://veterans.utah.gov
Services: assistance with VA claims, benefits, education, employment, and more.

References

Utah State University Extension Peer Reviewed verification logo

June 2025
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet

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Authors

Troy Allan, Ed.D., MFA, USU Extension Professional Practice Assistant Professor

Troy Allan

Troy Allan

Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor Home and Community | Rural Mental Health | Veteran Initiatives

Home and Community

Phone: 512-763-9502
 

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