| Coming Home: A Guide for
Veterans and Families
The veterans of today’s military endeavors are a heterogeneous
population – men and women of all ages and backgrounds joined
together in a common goal. Now that you are home – what happens
next? Where do you (or your family) go for help?
Both families and the person who was deployed have great expectations
about homecoming and the days (or weeks) after homecoming can be
filled with excitement and relief. There may also be times when
family members experience uncertainty and feel distant from one
another – this is natural and to be expected. During this
separation, families change – children grow; spouses have
taken on new responsibilities.
No one agency can be expected to meet the needs of this diverse
group, and the VA recognizes that. So to meet the needs of returning
veterans and their families, a joint venture has been created. Sort
of a joint services operation, you might say.
VA Medical Centers, Vet Centers and DOD have partnered with NAMI
and other civilian mental health agencies to create a comprehensive
system designed to meet the needs of returning veterans and their
families.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in partnership with
Department Of Veterans Affairs have established the Veterans Advisory
Council to assist their local/county chapters in providing family
and patient support groups. Often these support groups are conducted
at the VA Medical Center, VA community based outpatient clinic or
neighborhood Vet Center. They are an opportunity for veterans and
their families to meet, share common experiences and make a healthy
transition back to civilian life.
Additionally, treatment for trauma reactions or PTSD (Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder) is available in most communities through psychologists,
social workers or psychiatrists in private practice. Community mental
health centers, charitable or church organizations may also provide
treatment, sometimes at low or reduced fees.
Veterans and family members need to learn about trauma reactions,
PTSD and its effects. Educational classes are available through
your local VA Medical Center or Vet Center. To find the phone number
for your local VA Medical Center or Vet Center, look in the ‘Government
Pages’ of your local phone book.
While in the process of getting help, it is important to keep the
lines of communication open within the family. If the veteran would
like to talk about his/her experiences, be willing to listen. It’s
also important for the veteran to know how their experiences are
affecting the family and what can be done about it.
Remember combat stress reactions are like any other physical injury
from war. There is a range of how severe these invisible injuries
are, just like there is a range of how severe physical injuries
are. If problems persist, treatment will help everyone lead a happier,
well-adjusted life and maximize the potentials for RECOVERY.
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