Understanding the Journey of Veterans in Civilian Life.
Imagine trading the uniform for civilian attire, only to find yourself navigating a labyrinth of challenges – employment uncertainties, housing insecurities, and a battle with invisible wounds. This is the reality faced by veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life, where the journey is fraught with complexities that extend far beyond the battlefield. As veterans embark on the daunting transition from military service to civilian life, they confront a series of daunting challenges. This highlights the crucial need for the development and implementation of comprehensive support systems and interventions to empower veterans in their pursuit of successful adaptation and flourishing in civilian society.
Transitioning from military service to civilian life is one of the most challenging missions encountered by every veteran. This includes adapting to new routines, practicing new habits, managing their physical and mental well-being. Reconnecting with family and re-establishing a role in the family are two challenges that veterans may find difficult. Families may have established new routines during absences, and both the civilians and military personnel may not be aware of these challenges (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, 2021). Even with the presence of military separation services, many veterans making the transition to civilian life report problems that have persisted or even gotten worse: PTSD, angry outbursts, ongoing substance abuse, and strained family relationships. Additionally, only 61 percent of the 1,906,754 veterans who have been separated since 2002 use the VA health care system after their separation, meaning that at least 75% of veterans are not included in VA systems research (Derefinko et al., 2018).
The Veterans Administration released a statistic depicted in figure 1 of the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, that there are 46,412 adult suicides occurred in the United States in 2021 (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, 2024). “There were 6,042 suicide deaths among Veteran men and 350 deaths among Veteran women”[1] which accounts to a total of “6,392 Veteran suicide deaths” (114 more than in 2020), and 40,020 were among non-Veterans (2,000 more than in 2020) (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, 2024). Equally distressing is the realization that some veterans are struggling with undiagnosed illnesses or conditions that emerged post-service, exacerbating their already burdensome transition. These sobering truths emphasize the urgent need for society to rally around our veterans, providing them with the support, resources, and compassion they deserve as they navigate this critical period of their lives.
The data presented from the document shows that “Among Recent Veteran VHA Users whose suicide deaths occurred in 2019-2021 and were reported to VHA Suicide Prevention teams, VA Behavioral Health Autopsy Program data indicated that the most frequently identified risk factors were: pain (55.9%), sleep problems (51.7%), increased health problems (40.7%), relationship problems (33.7%), recent declines in physical ability (33.0%), hopelessness (30.6%) and unsecured firearms in the home (28.8%)” (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, 2024). The results were startling: every veteran is at high risk for these factors, which means that the Veterans Administration should concentrate on them when providing care for all our veterans.
In May 2023, I posted a blog entitled “Maintaining Your Coolness Under Pressure”. In this blog, I discussed the importance of maintaining your coolness and composure while under pressure in the face of adversity and navigating life’s challenges, based on my own personal experiences and reflections. However, even though veterans seem calm and composed, there is a problem we need to deal with right away: too many veterans are taking their own lives, a statistic that requires immediate attention. Although my blog and website are not yet fully operational, I am committed to using them as platforms for change to help with this pressing issue. I am totally convinced and believe that sharing awareness, providing suicide awareness education, and distributed resource information are the first steps in connecting with other veterans. This can be strengthened if given an opportunity to work with veteran support organizations that focus on veterans’ well-being can make an enormous difference. I hope to empower my fellow veterans by sharing my individual experiences, research findings, and useful resources. I also hope to raise awareness of the significance of mental health and encourage other veterans to seek help when necessary.
“Veteran men and women were found to be more likely to report suicidal ideation and attempt in adulthood when compared to their civilian counterparts” (Military One Source, 2024). It is evident that veterans identified several needs, including improved access to care, mental health and substance use counseling, and adjustment readiness. The current study (N = 90) looked at the perceived needs of veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life, evaluated issues that prevent these individuals from participating in VA health care upon separation, and recorded veteran recommendations to improve existing separation services, either prior to or after the transition to civilian life (Derefinko et al., 2018). Veterans die by suicide at a higher rate than non-Veterans. In 2020, the age- and sex-adjusted suicide rate among Veterans was 57.3% higher than the age- and sex-adjusted rate among non-Veteran U.S. adults (VA.gov | Veterans Affairs, 2022).
Awareness alone is insufficient without tangible resources and support networks. The National Veterans Homeless Support (NVHS) highlighted “Prioritize Your Mental Health” (McElhinny, 2023). Counseling and therapy can help address any issues of anxiety, depression, or PTSD that may arise during the transition period. Reach out to mental health professionals for support during this time. Transitioning from military service to civilian life can take a toll on mental health (McElhinny, 2023). Furthermore, it is important to do things like talking to people, pushing for better rules, and making sure that veterans who need help are heard. In response to this issue, through my blog and website, I am committed to creating a resource guide on my website that provides a curated list of veteran support services, mental health resources, support groups, and job placement programs information specifically designed for veterans. In addition, I envision creating online forums, veteran ted talks and peer support groups where veterans can connect, share experiences, and offer mutual aid-a virtual sanctuary where no one feels alone in their struggles.
To sum up, leaving the military is extremely difficult, but it is also full of opportunities for growth and fulfillment on a personal level. Reflecting on the challenges encountered by veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life reveals a landscape filled with obstacles, encompassing many factors in life. The sobering statistics of increasing veteran suicides calls for an urgent need for action and support. As we delve deeper into the data, it becomes clear that addressing high-risk factors, such as pain and relationship issues, must be prioritized in providing comprehensive care for veterans. Through my commitment to raising awareness and providing resources, I aim to serve as a guiding light of hope and empowerment for my fellow veterans, steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that none are overlooked or left behind in their quest for healing and fulfillment beyond their military service. By imparting the invaluable skill of maintaining “coolness under pressure” I believe we can forge a pathway towards our shared goal: leaving no veteran behind. Together, we can navigate the challenges of transition and pave the way for a brighter future where every veteran finds the support and resources they need to thrive.
[1] For this report, Veterans were defined as persons who had been activated for federal military service and were not currently serving at the time of death. For more information see the accompanying 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report Methods Summary.