Family members of Hispanic military veterans: the risk of major depressive disorder.

The number of Hispanics serving in the US military is expected to grow substantially. Frequent deployments and combat assignments put significant stress on military families, increasing the risk of major depression. The family members of Hispanic military personnel may manifest depression differently than other ethnicities. Hispanics are also less likely to seek help, more likely to seek care from primary care physicians, and less likely to be appropriately diagnosed and treated. Thus, clinicians should be aware of the risk and presentation of major depressive disorder in family members of Hispanic US military veterans.