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Student Veterans’ Mental Health: How Can Higher Education Provide Support?
HigherEdMilitary
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Initiatives to talk about and destigmatize mental health issues have increased in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both research- and clinical-driven efforts have been made to find more effective methods to help individuals struggling with their mental health. Last year, over $120 million from the VA budget was specifically allocated for mental health research. While much of this work is done within clinical and science centers of VA Medical Hospitals and their academic affiliates, this work can, and should, be done in all institutes of higher education to protect student veterans and their families.
Stop Ignoring Mental Health
The stigma around mental health is tough to escape from for many. Mental illness is still often seen as a sign of weakness. However, the myth that mental illness is a weakness is harmful and incorrect. It is real and should be treated as a true illness. As an invisible illness, it is difficult for some to reach out for help. As it can be hard to detect, it can be even more important to be on the lookout for signs to help those in the community.
Ignoring mental health can contribute to a reduced quality of life as well as negative physical consequences. Oftentimes, some behavioral consequences can occur due to mental health. For example, individuals tend to lose energy to engage in daily life activities (e.g. cleaning, going to work) and/or sleeping too much or losing sleep. These conditions may increase the risk for chronic pain and illness, such as heart disease. Therefore, it is critical to remain vigilant about warning signs of worsening mental health conditions and reach out to those who you think may need assistance.
Veterans and Mental Health
Among the veteran community, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are the most prevalent. Research shows that roughly 14% to 16% of U.S. servicemembers deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have been affected by these mental illnesses. Over the past few decades, the number of returning combat veterans with mental illness has risen, and it is important to develop effective interventions to treat these individuals.
Additionally, suicide prevention remains the top clinical priority for the VA. The 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report details the statistics relating to suicide among the veteran community, stratified by gender, age, and race. In 2020, there were 343 fewer veteran suicides than in 2019 and the lowest number since 2006. The number of age- and sex-adjusted suicide rates for veterans fell by 9.7% from 2018 to 2020. These data give us hope that the work that the VA and our community does to prevent veteran suicide is important and effective.
What Can Higher Education Do to Help?
Higher education plays an important role in helping student veterans through life stressors they may face daily.
1. Emphasize the importance of seeking help. The aforementioned myth of seeking treatment for mental health issues remains strong in many communities across the U.S., particularly within predominantly male and military communities. Creating spaces where students can discuss their mental health openly and without criticism is crucial for ensuring students are comfortable and safe at their universities and colleges. This could take the the form of a veteran resource center. Different universities and colleges have variable access to space and opportunities for specific places for veterans to sit and talk. Other examples could include reserving a library room once a week for student veterans to come and chat about their experiences in and out of the military, as well as a building, or floor dedicated to student veterans’ progress and mental health on campus.
2. Connect student veterans with the Veteran Wellness Alliance. These peer-based networks and care providers serve to address mental health barriers after transitioning out of the service. Partners include Team Rubicon, Team RWB, and Student Veterans of America. Their mission is to get veterans into care for their invisible wounds. Connecting students with these communities, some of which could exist outside of their university, may give them the chance to link up with various individuals with similar experiences.
3. Check in with your student veterans and their families. It is also a myth that asking if an individual is thinking of/has had thoughts of killing themselves will push them to take actions to kill themselves. It provides a means of open communication and starts the conversation on how an individual is feeling and how one can help.
Fortunately, there are many resources available to the military-affiliated community for both physical and mental health. It can be overwhelming for student veterans to find the right resource among their other responsibilities in higher education, so it could be helpful to meet one-on-one with veterans, as well as meet within groups to provide various types of support.
If you’re a veteran in a mental health crisis – or you know a veteran in a mental health crisis - you’re not alone. The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255. Chat online here.
