Troubled veterans turn to bartenders.

• Position: Sociology - Brief article

For troubled war veterans, a friendly bartender can be the source of more than just drinks. A pilot study by Ohio State University, Columbus, suggests that some bartenders may be in a good position to identify veterans in need of mental health services and help connect them to the appropriate agency.

"Many of the bartenders we spoke with said that their customers were very much like family," relates Keith Anderson, assistant professor of social work. "Given the closeness of the relationships, these bartenders [working at Veterans of Foreign Wars posts] are in a really great position to help these veterans--if they are given the right training and tools."

Some 80% of the bartenders relate that they are willing to refer these troubled individuals to the Department of Veterans Affairs. "We need to find veterans where they are," explains Anderson. "Many of them may not be willing to go to a VA clinic to seek...