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Background: This study examines mental healthcare service use and barriers to care in Norwegian Afghanistan veterans. Method: All Norwegian personnel serving in Afghanistan in the period 2001–2011 were invited to participate. Data were gathered with survey questionnaires and mental health problems were measured with standardized self-administered screening instruments. The response rate was 57 % (N=4053). Results: 6 % (n=246) of the veterans reported that they had received treatment for mental health disorders. Of those whose responses were positive for a mental disorder, two in three did not seek out mental health care. Veterans with mental disorders were more likely to report barriers, and barriers to care were related to a fear that it would harm career and future deployments, and a wish to deal with the problems themselves. Barriers to care did not appear to disappear after leaving the Armed Forces. The civilian veterans had barriers regarding not knowing where to get help and questioning if mental health care does help. Conclusions: Mental health disorders are still associated with social stigma as well as avoidance in seeking mental health care among veterans. Health care personnel’s knowledge and recognition of these barriers can be a central aspect of the veterans’ experience with medical and mental health care.

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