The connection between combat experience and mental health has been extensively researched, and the literature is clear and consistent: veterans are a critically underserved population. A 2014 Rand study revealed a “woeful lack of understanding mental health providers have about military members, veterans and families they treat,” (Eckhart, n.d., p. 1). The results of the Rand study may come as no surprise to military families and ex-combatants, but social workers and psychologists do remain critically untrained in the issues specific to American veterans. For this and other reasons such as stigma related to seeking mental health services, veterans continue to be the most vulnerable to mental health issues. When their mental health issues like PTSD, which alone accounts for a full half of all clinical diagnoses (Savitsky, Illingworth & DuLaney, 2009), remain unidentified or untreated, the results can be disastrous. Almost 150,000 American veterans each year experience homelessness each year (Jackson, 2013). Suicide rates are already alarmingly high and continue to rise. Coping with daily life and reintegrating into their communities is challenging, leading to behavioral problems, substance abuse, and criminality (Savitsky, Illingworth & DuLaney, 2009). I know; I have been on...
I now wish to deepen my level of service and commitment to helping US veterans as a social worker.References
APHA (2014). Removing barriers to mental health services for veterans. Retrieved online: https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2015/01/28/14/51/removing-barriers-to-mental-health-services-for-veterans
Eckhart, J. (n.d.). Woeful lack of military knowledge among mental health providers. Military.com. Retrieved online: http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/woeful-lack-of-military-knowledge-among-mental-health-providers.html
Jackson, J. (2013). Reducing homelessness in veterans with mental illnesses. Social Work Today 13(3): 8.
Olenick, M., Flowers, M. & Diaz, V.J. (2015). US veterans and their unique issues. Advances in Medical Education and Practice 2015(6): 635-639.
Savitsky, L., Illingworth, M. & DuLaney, M. (2009). Civilian social work. NASW Journal. Retrieved online: https://msrc.fsu.edu/system/files/Savitsky%20et%20al%202009%20Civilian%20social%20work-%20serving%20the%20military%20and%20veteran%20populations.pdf
Voices from the trenches: The transfer of teaching and leadership skills from the military environment as veterans enter the teaching profession that affect grit and resilience in underrepresented male students.The need for interdisciplinary team work is increasing as a result of a number of factors, including the association of professional development with collegiality (Sandholtz, 2000). By transferring teaching and leadership skills from the military environment to the educational environment, a
And members of the military who contemplate suicide should be helped by their fellow members, health professionals, military leaders and others in their community. Conclusion Problems affecting the physical and mental health of the members of the military beset its management. Causes may be known or unknown but they are not without solutions. These can range from the introduction of appropriate training programs, the application of new tools or procedures, a
The subjects were 613 injured Army personnel Military Deployment Services TF Report 13 admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from March 2003 to September 2004 who were capable of completing the screening battery. Soldiers were assessed at approximately one month after injury and were reassessed at four and seven months either by telephone interview or upon return to the hospital for outpatient treatment. Two hundred and forty-three soldiers
Introduction The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its purpose is to provide financial aid as well as other kinds of assistance to veterans in need, to their families or to their survivors as the case may be. Some of the various kinds of assistance include compensation and pension pay, rehabilitation assistance, support with finding employment, assistance with furthering educational opportunities,
PICOT Question Introduction Low back pain is a common health challenge for both active and former military service members. Among the military veterans, low back pain places higher risk and has been indicated to be bear the potential for long-term disability (Bagg et al., 2017). There is a lack of effective treatment strategies, and thus, military veterans rely on pain management strategies and other medical strategies, e.g., medical imaging, opioids, injections, and
In addition, contracts for supplies or other services takes 6 to 9 months to establish. He says that a lot of companies won't even bid on VA contracts because of this. This results in higher costs, with the exception of pharmaceuticals, because the VA has "exerted its marketing clout" in this area." (Mayo, 2006) Oliver (2007) states that "Republicans want still tighter eligibility criteria, re-restricting the VHA entirely to
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