Veteran Mental Health Challenges & Solutions
-Seeking Help-
Just like those who never served in the military, Veterans may experience mental health issues and difficult life events that are unrelated to their service. However, the difficulties of service, such as combat, noncombat training exercises, other traumatic military experiences, and repeated deployments, may complicate their efforts to deal with those issues.
Common barriers to seeking mental health treatment services include:
- Lack of understanding about the signs and symptoms of mental illness.
- Perceptions of weakness or failure.
- Misconceptions about the necessity and efficacy of treatment.
- Lack of familiarity with mental health services and resources.
- Belief that services are not available to them, or they don’t deserve support.
|
|
Real People Real Stories:
Nicole Ramirez
U.S. Army Veteran, U.S. Air Force Reserve; Desert Era, OEF, OIF
Nicole served as an active duty combat medic for the Army during the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and at present is an Air Force Reservist. Nicole’s husband served in the Army for eight years as a combat engineer, and his duties included infantry patrols in Kuwait and Iraq. Nicole and her husband reached out for support for themselves and to find effective ways to raise their children while managing the unique requirements of a dual-spouse military family. She is currently weeks away from completing her bachelor’s degree.
|
Portions of this newsletter adapted from
|
EIC and the Staunton Farm Foundation are pleased to present
Veterans: Return, Reconnect & Reintegrate Community Forum in Pittsburgh on November 30th!
|
|