Social Work and Military Veterans Application

The connection between combat experience and mental health has been extensively researched, and the literature is clear and consistent: veterans are a critically underserved population. A 2014 Rand study revealed a “woeful lack of understanding mental health providers have about military members, veterans and families they treat,” (Eckhart, n.d., p. 1). The results of the Rand study may come as no surprise to military families and ex-combatants, but social workers and psychologists do remain critically untrained in the issues specific to American veterans. For this and other reasons such as stigma related to seeking mental health services, veterans continue to be the most vulnerable to mental health issues. When their mental health issues like PTSD, which alone accounts for a full half of all clinical diagnoses (Savitsky, Illingworth & DuLaney, 2009), remain unidentified or untreated, the results can be disastrous. Almost 150,000 American veterans each year experience homelessness each year (Jackson, 2013). Suicide rates are already alarmingly high and continue to rise. Coping with daily life and reintegrating into their communities is challenging, leading to behavioral problems, substance abuse, and criminality (Savitsky, Illingworth & DuLaney, 2009). I know; I have been on the front lines. I now wish to deepen my level of service and commitment to helping US veterans as a social worker.
After serving as a US Army combat medic for six years, I received honorable discharge due to a medical disability and since then have worked squarely in the mental health sector to serve other veterans. For the past four years, I have specialized as a chemical dependency counselor. I have a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, which laid the foundation for my counseling work as well as my future career in social work. The next stepping stone in my career will be a Masters degree in social work. I have selected Capella because its program best represents my philosophy of applied social science in helping the veteran community. Having identified the core problems facing veterans, I want to participate in the solution building process by working with veterans and their families. In addition to promoting early intervention, treatment, and diagnosis, I hope to eventually transfer my skills to policy analysis. I believe that evidence-based policy can be created within the social work professions, to bolster understanding of military issues specifically, and also within the military, to improve access and awareness of mental health services. Ultimately, I believe it is possible to reduce stigma and help all veterans cultivate the coping skills required to mitigate mental health challenges.
In other words, my MS in Social Work from Capella will be a bridge between the social work community and the VA. The majority (56% to 87%) of all service members who already admitted to experiencing psychological distress post-deployment have reported that they did not once receive psychological help or intervention (APHA, 2014). As a scholar-practitioner in the MS program, I intend to reduce these numbers, through thorough research on the specific methods that may be most effective. By working with advisors, mentors, and colleagues, I believe we can work together in establishing an improved social work educational model that improves understanding of military issues. I also believe we can build bridges with the military community in offering outreach and information to military leaders to help them recognize warning signs and make treatment recommendations as early as possible. Homelessness, substance abuse, aggression, and other behavioral manifestations of PTSD can be controlled and reduced through a comprehensive plan. With a strong sense of purpose and vision, I intend to work in primary care first and later in more of a leadership and policy capacity. It will take a lot of work to cultivate the skills, competencies, and resources to achieve my goals, but I am confident of my success. I sincerely thank you for your consideration.



References

APHA (2014). Removing barriers to mental health services for veterans. Retrieved online: https://www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/public-health-policy-statements/policy-database/2015/01/28/14/51/removing-barriers-to-mental-health-services-for-veterans
Eckhart, J. (n.d.). Woeful lack of military knowledge among mental health providers. Military.com. Retrieved online: http://www.military.com/spouse/military-life/military-resources/woeful-lack-of-military-knowledge-among-mental-health-providers.html
Jackson, J. (2013). Reducing homelessness in veterans with mental illnesses. Social Work Today 13(3): 8.
Olenick, M., Flowers, M. & Diaz, V.J. (2015). US veterans and their unique issues. Advances in Medical Education and Practice 2015(6): 635-639.
Savitsky, L., Illingworth, M. & DuLaney, M. (2009). Civilian social work. NASW Journal. Retrieved online: https://msrc.fsu.edu/system/files/Savitsky%20et%20al%202009%20Civilian%20social%20work-%20serving%20the%20military%20and%20veteran%20populations.pdf