If there’s anyone in our country who deserves copious amounts of respect, support, love, and care, it’s our nation’s veterans. Yet no matter which way you slice it, so many of this country’s former military members are struggling – physically, emotionally, and financially. And until we deal with these challenges head-on, we continue to do them a disservice.
Understanding the Top Challenges Facing Veterans
When veterans return home from war, they’re often met with a brutal reality that’s much different than their time in combat. And in many respects, we – as a society – don’t have the systems and solutions in place to help them. Specifically, veterans in our country today face the following challenges:
- Mental Health Issues
One of the more significant challenges involves mental health issues, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. These conditions are common among veterans due to the stressful and traumatic experiences faced during their service time. And while we’ve come a long way in terms of discussing PTSD and creating programs for veterans, it’s still a bit of a taboo issue – which leaves many in the shadows suffering alone.
As a veteran, it’s important to recognize the signs of mental health issues and seek help. There are many resources available, including VA hospitals and community clinics, where you can access therapy, counseling, and medication. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Physical Health Issues and Disabilities
Many veterans come home with physical injuries, which can range from manageable to life-altering. Whether it’s a lost limb, chronic pain, or other physical issues, these injuries can drastically impact your quality of life.
Then there’s the long-term issue of things like mesothelioma in veterans. Veterans were often exposed to asbestos during their time in service, which has resulted in tens of thousands of former military members being diagnosed with diseases and cancers, like mesothelioma.
While navigating the healthcare system can be daunting, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers various services that can help, including rehabilitation programs and prosthetic services. Taking full advantage of these resources can help you regain your independence and improve your overall quality of life.
- Reintegration into Civilian Life
After spending years in a structured military environment, adjusting to civilian life can be pretty disorienting. You might find it difficult to relate to people who do not have military experience and may feel isolated or misunderstood by friends and family.
To ease this transition, consider joining veteran groups where you can connect with others who have had similar experiences. On top of that, engaging in community service or finding a hobby can help you find purpose and community in civilian life.
- Employment Challenges
Finding a job after military service is a hurdle that a lot of veterans face. While you obviously have valuable skills that are highly transferable, translating these skills to civilian jobs can be challenging for a lot of people – especially those who are still young and haven’t had any employment experience outside of a military environment.
Try utilizing services like career workshops and resume-building sessions offered by the VA or various veteran organizations. They’ll help you articulate your skills better and increase your employability. You may also want to do some research on employers who frequently hire military veterans. Certain companies actually use the military as a “pipeline” of sorts for hiring. This can be extremely helpful.
- Educational Transitions
Many veterans choose to further their education after service. However, returning to school can be intimidating, especially if you are older than your classmates and have different life experiences. Fortunately, programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill can ease the financial burden of getting a degree. Plus, most colleges have veteran affairs offices that can provide academic and emotional support tailored to your unique needs.
- Homelessness
Unfortunately, homelessness is a big issue for veterans, often compounded by other underlying challenges like mental health issues and unemployment. (Veterans make up a disproportionately high percentage of the homeless population in the United States.) Tackling this issue requires accessing various services for housing and financial aid offered through the VA and other organizations that are committed to preventing veteran homelessness.
Putting it All Together
There are no easy, one-size-fits-all solutions to these problems. That’s the tricky part. There is, however, more that we can be doing as a country to support our veterans through the biggest challenges they face. Whether it’s mesothelioma, PTSD, homelessness, or the dozens of other physical, emotional, and financial challenges our veterans face, they deserve our proactive solutions and support.
