Veterans Day Spotlight

Veterans Day will be observed this Sunday, November 11th. It is a day largely intended to recognize the honor, strength, and courage of our veterans. It is a day to show our gratitude for and thank all those who have served. 

In addition to showing appreciation for the contributions of these men and women, we also need to be proactive in ensuring that veterans receive the support and care they may need and have earned. Sadly, many veterans continue to be affected by the trauma they experienced while serving our country. Veterans who have been in combat or similarly stressful situations, are at increased risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), substance misuse, and suicide. Veterans may face other unique challenges that don’t fit within the scope of a clinical diagnosis, such as moral injury. Moral injury refers to the emotional or spiritual impact of participating in and/or witnessing actions and behaviors which violate a person’s core values.

Both veterans and active duty service members face barriers to accessing and participating in quality mental health services. According to a study conducted by the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, less than half of returning veterans needing mental health services receive any treatment at all, and of those receiving treatment for PTSD and major depression, less than one-third are receiving evidence-based care.

All of us can play a role in helping and offering support to the veterans and service members in our life. A good place to start is learning more about veteran’s issues and the available resources. Below are links to local, statewide and national resources, as well as short videos featuring veterans talking about their path to recovery and wellness.

Video gallery of veteran’s stories of hope, healing and connection

NAMI Resources:

1. NAMI Veterans and Military Resource Center
2. NAMI Homefront: education and support class for family members and caregivers
3. Treatment Options for PTSD 

Veteran Resources:

1. Local Resources in Juneau
   1. Alaska VA Healthcare. Juneau VA Outreach Clinic
2. Alaska Resources
   1. List of veteran benefits in state of AK
   2. Alaska VA Healthcare System
   3. Forget Me Not Coalition
   4. Alaska Veterans Foundation / VetVillageAK
   5. Helmets to Hardhats
   6. Fairbanks; Paws for Purple Hearts
3. National Resources
   1. US Department of Veterans Affairs: Mental Health Resources
   2. Wounded Warrior Project
   3. We Honor Veterans
   4. Army One Source (AOS)
      • AOS provides resource and referral services for Service members, veterans and their families. AOS also provides online training tools and resources for service providers at: AOSResourcecenter.com