RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENT VETERANS REQUESTING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES


By sfelty
Tiles that say mental health representing student veterans.

A majority of the Veteran population is not receiving mental health aid nearly as quickly as student Veterans. Furthermore, research suggests that student Veterans are more likely to experience mental health challenges than other Veterans. This is due to increased stressors, and struggles with depression or anxiety. Interestingly, there have been recent reports released that show that Veteran students have an increased willingness to seek out mental health help and resources. To help them get access to the support they need, many college campuses provide campus-based mental health care. This is especially important in today's society, as the number of students experiencing mental health problems has only increased over the last few years.Suggested read: Women in the Marines: Why They Stay Longer

Correlation Between the Military and Mental Health

In the 2022 fiscal year, nearly 5.9 million Veterans received medical care at a VA facility. Of the 5.9 million, 40% were seeking help for a mental health condition. This is an increase from 2017, which was previously only 30%.Researchers for GAO discovered that among student Veterans, mental health care visits and requests made up 70% of the medical visits in 2022. This number remained around 30% for the rest of the Veteran population. This study was over the span of six years.

Common Challenges Faced by Student Veterans

Veteran and military college students face a number of challenges. Some of those are the same for all college students. Relationship and friendship troubles, homework, an unfamiliar living environment, etc. However, student Veterans face a number of other challenges including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and adjusting to civilian life.Report authors stated that, “Research suggests that student Veterans face unique challenges in pursuing an education after serving in the military and experience lower grade point averages and less social support than their non-veteran peers. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, stress, depression, and suicidal ideation.”Another key factor to take into consideration is the demographics of the student Veterans not seeking out care. Past research has shown that VA members under 35 are more open and comfortable with seeking mental health care than older generations. This could be due to an increase in mental health awareness and support.

What Student Veteran Mental Health Resources Are Available?

Student Veterans can access resources such as counseling services, support groups, and Veteran-specific programs on their individual campuses. Improving military mental health services for Veterans and student Vets can help in a number of ways. This includes increasing access to care, reducing stigma surrounding the military and mental health, and providing specialized care.Read next: C 130 Cargo Plane Airdrops Thousands of Meals Into Gaza


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