Difficulties getting help from the VA
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the biggest integrated healthcare system in the United States. It has 1,255 health care facilities, comprising 170 VA Medical Centers and 1,074 outpatient care centers of different complexity (Clair et al. 802). The VHA has been criticized for its inability to provide proper treatment to veterans, especially those with mental health disorders, despite its size. Due in part to a paucity of physicians, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) concluded in a 2014 study that VA medical facilities (VAMCs) did not always offer timely access to mental health treatment. In addition, a recent investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that VHA personnel throughout the nation faked appointment data to make it seem like veterans were obtaining treatment promptly, while in fact many were waiting months or even years to be seen.
The difficulties in getting treatment at the VHA extend beyond mental health care. The GAO reported in a 2015 study that veterans often lacked timely access to general care, specialized care, and dental care. The GAO ascribed the delays to a variety of causes, including a scarcity of providers, the need of VHA clearance for certain treatments, and the fact that some VAMCs were understaffed. The VHA has made significant strides in enhancing access to care, but there is still more work to be done. The GAO reported in a 2016 study that the VHA has made headway in lowering wait times for general care visits but not for specialized care appointments (Clair et al. 802). In addition, the GAO determined that the VHA had not made enough progress in lowering appointment wait times for mental health treatment.
The VHA has had trouble providing thousands of veterans with the necessary treatment. The American Legion discovered in a 2014 study of veterans that just 45 percent of respondents were happy with the quality of their treatment at the VHA. In addition, just 35% of respondents indicated satisfaction with the timeliness of their VHA service (Clair et al. 802). There are many reasons why veterans have had trouble receiving treatment from the VHA.
In other instances, veterans had to wait months or even years to see a doctor. In other instances, veterans have received care from clinicians who lacked the required training to address their special requirements. In other instances, veterans have been refused treatment entirely. Understaffing is one of the most significant concerns facing the VHA. In a 2014 study, the GAO determined that the VHA lacked sufficient providers to satisfy veterans’ requirements (Clair et al. 802). In addition, the GAO found that the VHA was not effectively using the physicians it did have, resulting in lengthy appointment wait times.
Another issue with the VHA is that it is often difficult for veterans to get timely treatment. The GAO reported in a 2014 study that veterans often had to wait months or even years to be seen by a clinician (Clair et al. 802). In addition, the GAO found that the VHA was not effectively using the physicians it did have, resulting in lengthy appointment wait times. In addition to access issues, the VHA has been challenged for the quality of treatment it offers. Due in part to a dearth of clinicians, the GAO concluded in a 2014 study that the VHA did not always offer timely access to mental health treatment. In addition, a recent investigation by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed that VHA personnel throughout the nation faked appointment data to make it seem like veterans were obtaining treatment promptly, while in fact many were waiting months or even years to be seen.
Difficulty transitioning to civilian life
Soldiers and their families get a lot of benefits and services from the U.S. military, but it can be hard to go back to civilian life. There are many reasons for this, such as the loss of structure and support that the military gives, the difficulty of finding a job and adjusting to a new academic or work environment, and the fact that many veterans do not have a support system in place. Many veterans find it hard to get used to life without the structure and support that the military gives (Derefinko et al. 384). Soldiers are used to following a strict schedule every day and having the help of their fellow soldiers. When they leave the military, they often have to find a job and make their own schedule. Even for people who have been in the military for a long time, this can be hard to get used to. In addition, many veterans find it hard to connect with people who have not been through the same things they have. This can make a person feel alone and isolated.
Finding a job is another hard thing for veterans to do when they return to civilian life. Many veterans have skills that are in demand, but they might not have the credentials that are needed to work in the civilian world (Derefinko et al. 384). Because of this, it can be hard for them to find a job that matches their skills and experience. In addition, veterans may have trouble getting used to a new school or work environment. Many veterans choose to use their G.I. Bill or other veteran benefits to help with this transition, but they aren’t always prepared for the trouble they may have getting along with their peers, the feeling of being alone, or the risk of being socially shunned because of their political views or bad memories of their time in the military.
Lastly, the U.S. military assumes that all veterans will go home to a place where they can get help. However, many veterans do not have this kind of help. This can happen because a parent has died, a couple has split up, or a veteran’s grown children have moved away. This can make veterans feel like the world has moved on without them and that they no longer belong in it. This can make it more likely for veterans to be homeless and use drugs, both of which can lead to suicide. Many veterans find it hard to adjust to life as a civilian, but there are many things that can help. These resources include the Veterans Crisis Line, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and several non-profit organizations. With the right help, many veterans can make a smooth transition back to life as a civilian.
Social stigmas
There are two main types of social stigmas that veterans face when they leave the military: those related to their military service and those related to the fact that they are veterans. The first group is made up of stereotypes and biases about soldiers and the military that can make it hard for veterans to find work, a place to live, and social acceptance. In the second group are things like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety that make it hard for veterans to adjust to civilian life (Monteith et al. 373). Because of these problems, it can be hard for veterans to find meaningful work, make friends, and keep a sense of purpose. The social stigmas and problems that veterans face when they leave the military are partly to blame for the high suicide rates among this group.
One of the worst social stigmas that veterans have to deal with is the idea that they are broken. This stereotype is spread by the media, which often tells stories about veterans who are having trouble with their mental health or adjusting to civilian life. The way the media talks about veteran suicide also adds to this idea, because it makes people think that veterans are more likely to kill themselves than the rest of the population (Monteith et al. 373).
In reality, veterans are no more likely to kill themselves than anyone else, but the stigma still sticks around. People think that veterans cannot handle civilian life, which is another social stigma they have to deal with. This idea comes from the idea that military service is so different from civilian life that it is impossible for veterans to adjust to civilian life. This stereotype is kept alive by the fact that many veterans do have trouble adjusting to life in the civilian world and by the way the media talks about veteran suicide. In reality, many veterans can make a smooth transition to civilian life, but the stigma still sticks around.
Asking for help is seen as a sign of weakness, and admitting to any kind of emotional pain is often seen as a sign that a soldier is not fit for duty. This is made worse by the fact that soldiers who do ask for help are often worried about how it will affect their careers. Soldiers feel like they have to suffer in silence because they are afraid to ask for help or admit to any kind of emotional pain. This shame about mental health and getting help is not something that only happens in the military. It is a problem for everyone. Nevertheless, the military has a culture of its own that can make these problems worse.
Drug and alcohol abuse
An estimated 20% of veterans from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the United States and many of these people also deal with substance misuse. Although there are many effective therapies for PTSD, including as exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, many veterans do not seek or get these treatments (Gunn et al. 2). In addition, substance abuse may exacerbate PTSD symptoms, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to stop. There are many reasons why soldiers with PTSD may resort to alcohol and drugs. Substances may help dull the pain and memory of trauma for many persons.
In addition, persons with PTSD often have trouble sleeping, and drugs might assist them in obtaining the necessary rest. However, the use of drugs and alcohol may exacerbate the symptoms of PTSD and lead to other problems, including financial challenges, marital issues, and legal issues (Gunn et al. 2). You may learn to control your symptoms and live a full and productive life with the assistance of a therapist. Additionally, if you are using drugs or alcohol to deal with your PTSD, it is crucial that you get assistance from a substance addiction treatment program. These programs may help you stop the pattern of abuse and regain control of your life.
Works Cited
Clair, Kimberly, et al. “Veteran Perspectives on Adaptations to a VA Residential Rehabilitation Program for Substance Use Disorders During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic.” Community Mental Health Journal, vol. 57, no. 5, 2021, pp. 801-807. Web.
Derefinko, Karen J., et al. “Perceived Needs of Veterans Transitioning from the Military to Civilian Life.” The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, vol. 46, no. 3, 2019, pp. 384-398. Web.
Gunn, Rachel, et al. “A Longitudinal Examination of Daily Patterns of Cannabis and Alcohol Co-Use among Medicinal and Recreational Veteran Cannabis Users.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 205, 2019, p. 107661. Web.
Monteith, Lindsey L., et al. ““We’re Afraid to Say Suicide”: Stigma as a Barrier to Implementing a Community-Based Suicide Prevention Program for Rural Veterans.” The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, vol. 208, no. 5, 2020, pp. 371-376. Web.