RETURNING COMBAT VETERANS RETURNING COMBAT VETERANS ASSESSING VETERANS’ NEED FOR RESOURCES, AND GAINING INSIGHT INTO THE TRANSITIONAL EXPERIENCE UPON RETURNING HOME FROM COMBAT. ERIN EHLERS; PESHTIGO, WI; PSYCHOLOGY & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT SPONSORED BY: DR. RYAN MARTIN, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY

As more veterans return to their lives following combat everyday, it is important to understand the transitional experiences and issues faced by veterans as they reintegrate into civilian life, so that we may better serve military veterans. o According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are about 22.2 million living U.S. veterans. o 1 in 5 homeless people are veterans, and an estimated 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. o 27% of veterans age 20 to 24 are unemployed, according to the Department of Labor. That's ten percent higher than non-veterans of the same age. o An estimated 11-20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers find that about 30% of Vietnam Veterans and 10% of Gulf War Veterans also struggle with PTSD.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS What financial, social, relational, and workplace issues do returning veterans face? What is the transition back into civilian life like for a combat veteran? What resources are available to veterans in Northeast Wisconsin, and what resources are missing? What emotions do combat veterans experience as they reintegrate?

MATERIALS & METHODS PARTICIPANTS  Veterans contacted via through a veteran services organization  14 military veterans, Ages 23-55, 9 males & 5 females  Combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Guantanamo Bay, Kosovo PROCEDURE Veterans completed an online survey created using Qualtrics. Questions included multiple choice, rating scales, and free responses. MEASURES  Emotions  Sources of support  Experience during transition overall  Issues faced during transition

MATERIALS & METHODS MATERIALS & METHODS MEASURES: OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS  As a result of your military service, how have you changed?  What can the community do to help veterans? What resources are needed?  What has your transition been like as you reintegrate into civilian life?  Since your return from war, how intensely, and how frequently, do you feel negative emotions (i.e. isolated, sad, hyper vigilant)?

RESULTS What has the transition been like as you return from combat? Common Responses:  Experiencing sleeplessness  Loss of patience/irritability upon returning to past life  Self medication with alcohol and other drugs to cope  Transition described as stressful and difficult  Mind has changed since combat:  Loss of humanity  Hyper vigilance  View the world negatively Incidence of Mental Illness (self-reported) 75% have received a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 25% Depression 25% Substance Abuse or Dependence 25% Anxiety Disorders

RESULTS How intensely and how frequently do you feel negative emotions after returning from war compared to before war? Common Responses:  More intense and frequent anger  More intense and frequent hyper vigilance (“on edge”)  More intense and frequent feelings of isolation What specific issues have you faced since your return from combat? Common Responses:  Relationship issues with managing romantic relationships while dealing with emotions; Difficulty with parent role; Feelings of abandonment.  Financial hardship; Difficulty obtaining employment while seeking mental health treatment.  Difficulty keeping up with schooling and coursework.  Lack of scheduling in post-military life and inability to fill one’s time.  Physical injuries obtained during combat.

FOCUS: RESOURCES Many of the veterans surveyed indicate a lack of veterans’ care services (i.e. counseling services, support organizations) in Northeast Wisconsin; specifically, veterans state that available resources are often geographically too far away to be of benefit. Which sources of support have helped you through this transition?  Family members, especially spouses and parents  Fellow veterans  Professional therapist  Veterans’ organizations (i.e. Vets4Vets, AmVets, maketheconnection)  Spirituality/church attendance What further resources do you desire?  VA medical services (Closest location is 2 hours away)  Liaison on campus at UWGB to work with veterans  A more active and socially involved community  Counseling services for children of recently returned veterans  Improved VA services and staff in local area  Motivational speakers-by veterans, for veterans

IMPLICATIONS What can we do with this information? Break the “code of silence” and lobby for improved mental health care and social support services for combat veterans and their families. Provide resource materials and directories to further assistance in Northeastern Wisconsin for newly returned veterans. Improve the debriefing process upon return from war to facilitate smoother transitions into civilian/former lives. Bring services to rural areas of Northeastern Wisconsin to improve access to support for veterans. Influence local universities to increase their awareness of veterans’ issues

LITERATURE CITED AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors would like to thank to Elaina Koltz and Vets for Vets for their assistance. To the veterans who participated in the survey: We thank you for your insights, and your military service.SOURCES o o Department of Veterans Affairs o National Coalition for Homeless Veterans o Department of Labor