NPR's "Talk of the Nation" on Tuesday included a discussion about access to mental health care and other issues female military service members face after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The number of U.S. women in military service is at an all-time high, with women now making up nearly 15% of active duty personnel. Female veterans are susceptible to job instability and homelessness and are more likely than men to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, according to "Talk of the Nation."

Guests on Tuesday's program included Sgt. 1st Class Antoinette Scott, who served in Iraq; Marsha Four, director of Homeless Veterans Services and former chair of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and Cheryl Beversdorf, president and CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. According to Four, female veterans who did not serve in combat or sustain injuries sometimes are hesitant to access veterans' services. The guests also discussed mental trauma among female veterans, substance use, sexual discrimination and other topics (Neary, "Talk of the Nation," NPR, 7/24). Audio of the segment is available online.