Background:Recent research has shown value in utilizing follow-up communication with patients to improve long-term outcomes of behavioral health, particularly among the most high-risk patients.Materials and Methods:We surveyed 38 active-duty Army personnel who were attached as behavioral health patients to a Warrior Transition Unit at a large military installation to ask their preferences for follow-up communication to behavioral healthcare.Results:Strongest preferences for contact were (1) personal cellphone, (2) text message, and (3) e-mail to non-work account. Because of frequent endorsement of stigma as a barrier to behavioral health treatment in this population, we also evaluated the influence of stigma on follow-up preferences.Conclusions:“High-stigma” participants indicated less favor for a personal note from a behavioral healthcare provider following treatment, although both high- and low-stigma participants agreed it was a “good idea” for a provider to e-mail a link to a Web site with relevant information about a diagnosis.
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