When weighing the kind of mental health support that works best, student veterans should consider whether health and wellness professionals on their campuses hold cultural competency for military veterans. Training can help professionals to better support student veterans by understanding differences between military and civilian culture and decreasing barriers student veterans face when accessing mental health care.
“Vets still have trust issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and I wish that wasn’t the case. Seeking a private provider that specializes in mental health, trauma, and addiction for veterans is crucial. Yet, few addiction treatment centers in the U.S. offer specialized services for these patients with unique, profession-related needs.”— Brian Gillespie, First Responder Program Treatment Advisor
Student veterans may also consider other factors such as location and cost of care. Prioritizing their own health may require working with service providers who are available on weekends or after typical school hours. This flexibility may allow students to continue their academic education, work, or care for dependents while also caring for themselves.
According to Gillespie, “Vets still have trust issues with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and I wish that wasn’t the case. Seeking a private provider that specializes in mental health, trauma, and addiction for veterans is crucial. Yet, few addiction treatment centers in the U.S. offer specialized services for these patients with unique, profession-related needs.
“I run one such program for Recovery Centers of America. RESCU is a confidential program whose participants are all part of the first responder community. We provide private group therapy sessions, peer support groups, specific programming for families, and individualized treatment led by a specially trained clinical team.”
“Mental Health for Student Veterans”, Bestcolleges.com, April 22, 2022, https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/student-veterans-mental-health-guide/”
