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Issues & Answers – Veterans Affairs: Help For Spouses of Combat Vets With Post Traumatic Stress Disorder From People Who Know

Introduction
Listen and Do Not Judge
The Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Accept Help
Protect Yourself and Your Family Even If He Can’t
Things to Remember
Epilogue
Bibliography

"There is not a day that goes by that PTSD does not play some part in that day".
Trudi, Spouse of Vietnam Combat Veteran
Introduction

The Journal of the American Medical Association in March, 2006, reported that 35 percent of Iraq war veterans sought treatment for mental health issues within a year of coming home. The Department of Defense now estimates that between 15 percent and 29 percent of veterans from the war in Iraq and Afghanistan will suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The caseload for mental health counselors in the Veterans Administration is six times higher than anticipated. By 2008 more than 400,000 troops could need mental health treatment if this trend continues. Who will help the spouses and families of these combat veterans?

Stepping up to help are eleven women with vast experience dealing with combat veterans returning home from war. They are married to vets who have significant PTSD disabilities from previous wars, and the Iraq war, and they have jointly written this article as a way of offering support, encouragement and hope to the spouses and families of Iraq vets. They offer the following thoughts while recognizing that each war is unique and some of these suggestions may not be appropriate for the Iraq war experience. (We use he/him to refer to the vet for convenience only.)

Listen and Do Not Judge

War is a bad thing and terrible things happen. That doesn't make your vet bad. Listen if he talks about the war. Don't judge, and don't try to stop or smooth over his emotions. When he tells you trauma stories, you might tell him he did the best he could under the circumstances, and wars are horrible. If the stories overwhelm you, it's ok to say you need to take a break and you are working on listening. If he doesn't talk about the war after a few months at home, you may want to suggest he see a counselor if he is showing symptoms of PTSD. If he does talk about the war, it's not a good idea to ask for details because this may bring on a flashback. It's not helpful to tell him you understand what he went through because you don't and can't. It's probably not helpful to tell him he is a war hero as there may be things he did in the war that disturb him. Rather you can say he is your hero by making it home. If he cries, let him cry with you or alone, and don't try to interrupt or stop this. It's probably a sign of healing. Make sure you have someone safe to debrief with as well.

Make an effort to learn who his favorite comrades were during the war. Keeping in contact with these comrades can sometimes be helpful with reentry, and staying in touch with them may last forever, and help with coming to grips with the reality of the war they fought.

The Symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Know what to look for. Educate yourself about PTSD as much as you can. Here are a few of the symptoms: 

  • emotional/social isolation 
  • numbing
  • sexual dysfunction
  • sleep disturbance 
  • intrusive thoughts and memories (flashbacks) 
  • heightened anxiety and startle reaction 
  • inability to concentrate 
  • depression 
  • nightmares 
  • survivor guilt 
  • spacing out 
  • night sweats 
  • sudden anger (or repressed anger) 
  • inability to feel anything but anger

Symptoms may not surface for years. Tracy said "I remember when he talked Vietnamese in his sleep, and had terrible nightmares. Sometimes he still does". Betsy said "he didn't start having flashbacks until many years later when the Iraq war began". If he has flashbacks, ask him what you can do that helps or if he does better handling them alone.

Accept Help

Be willing to accept help even if he doesn't. You can call 1-800-562-2308 in Washington State or go to www.nmfa.org/ to find resources. Or use your health insurance to see a professional of your own choosing. Some employers offer short term confidential counseling as an employee benefit. If your vet is willing, encourage him/her to get a good evaluation from someone experienced in PTSD treatment. Remember though that experts don't agree on what really helps. Trust that what you observe is valid.

Protect Yourself and Your Family Even if He Can't

Encourage him to set limits on what kinds of questions people ask him. Thoughtless questions can cause soldiers to relive trauma. It's ok to say "that's not an appropriate question".

Criticism of the war should not be taken personally, and vets should be supported in leaving situations where military personnel are criticized for serving in the war. Most people support the troops even if they don't support the war.

You may need to remind your vet that he is not the center of the universe, and he no longer needs to worry about his own survival. He is now part of a family where concern for other family members and their feelings and needs is important.

Get in a support group. It's a relief to be with other people who understand. "It has saved my marriage and maybe my life…". Trudi. Our support group is funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. In Washington State a unique program is offered where veterans and their significant others can receive counseling at no charge. In Wenatchee the contracted provider of these services is Wayne Ball, LICSW, who started support groups. 509-667-8828.

Children are affected by a parent's PTSD. Symptoms can be passed from one generation to the next which is called intergenerational transmission of trauma. The ages of your children affects how this occurs. For instance small children may experience the numbness of PTSD as disinterest or not caring, while older children may act out. Sometimes children will take on some of the symptoms of PTSD. You can get information on how to help your children from the PTSD Information Line at 802-296-6300 or go to www.ncptsd.org. Your children need to know in an age appropriate and calming way that these symptoms are not their fault.

You cannot fix the PTSD symptoms. Those are his symptoms that he has to learn to manage or not. Make your own goals and keep them in your focus. These goals might be improving your own health with good nutrition, exercise, and rest, or spending time with friends, or doing special things for yourself.

Things to Remember
  • Always be truthful with your vet. This builds trust. Tell him calmly when his behavior is not normal. If you don't know if it's normal, ask others, and observe others. Don't walk on eggshells.
  • He probably will not ever be totally the same. He is in many ways a different person now. Grieve for what is lost and move on. This is your life now even though it‘s not fair.
  • Stay on top of medications. Try to notice the changes with new medications or when he stops taking meds and report this calmly to your vet. Suggest he call his medication prescriber if the side effects are problematic. Running out of meds can trigger depression and other problems.
  • Anticipate drug and alcohol problems. Learn about resources for you, your kids and for your vet. Find out what to do. Discourage him from isolating and drinking or doing drugs.
  • If he isolates himself, point this out and encourage involvement with family, sources of help. Don't go with isolation for long periods of time. Short periods of withdrawal to help control anger make sense, but withdrawing from life into a "bunker" is not helpful.
  • When you have conflict which is normal and to be expected, focus on the issue at hand and resist bringing up issues from the past. Stay focused on the issue, not the person and seek solutions, not who is to blame. If possible, set a time limit for hot topics of a few minutes, and take a time out with an agreement to discuss this issue later. Be sure to again discuss later.
  • If you feel concerned about violence in your home, bring others into the situation: your minister, a trusted friend, a counseling professional and talk about your concerns calmly when things are not escalated. Don't keep this concern secret. If necessary to protect yourself and your children, call the police.
  • Sometimes war experiences cause a spiritual crisis, a loss of faith. If your vet's not finding help with this you might encourage him to keep looking. There are spiritual advisors who understand combat and PTSD.
  • Physical exercise helps everyone release anxiety and tension. Stay active and encourage your vet to do the same. Regular meals, good nutrition, plenty of rest and time for play help everyone cope with stress.
  • Take care of yourself in many different ways. You matter just as much as your vet Handling traumatic stress in a loved one is very stressful for most partners. Learn and use stress reduction techniques.

Enjoy the good times. When bad times come, hang on! Good times will come again.

Epilogue

This is an article in progress. We are learning that many of the Iraq vets have traumatic brain injury as well as PTSD which brings new challenges, and often requires a spouse to remember things for their vet. We are learning that it is hard to tell how much someone can recover from a traumatic brain injury. We believe that drawing together in a community of support and encouragement is still the best way to face these unknowns, and we are grateful for the good company of one another.

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Bibliography

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Veterans Affairs – When The Soldier Doesn’t Return: The Needs of American Families of Downed Warriors In Iraq

Introduction Fear of Being Weak
Current Issues of Some American
Military Families		 Stresses of Widowhood
Fear of Being “Found Out” Living on Two Tracks
Mental Health Services
Insurance Issues		 Unresolved Grief
Lack of Trust in Some Services Infective Methods to Deal With Grief
Feeling Ashamed of Grieving Reassessing Family Relationships
Negative Judgements from the Public How Can Mental Health Professionals Help?
Introduction

Sally had been a soldier's wife for all twelve years of their marriage. She endured separations while her husband, Tom, was called to duty, and she toughed out raising twin boys alone. Sally said Tom loved her because, in his words, she was a "team player." But ever since Sally learned that Tom was killed in a roadside bomb in Iraq, Sally doubts whether she can be a team of one. "I'm really not that strong," Sally said. "It's just a good act."

When Rolanda was shot out of her helicopter, her husband Ray said he had no choice but to "pull himself together." He had to focus on his job and raising his stepdaughter. "I only cry at night, and then only for a second or two. We were practically newlyweds. I don't even know what I'll be missing."

"At least the kids are grown." It was the first thing that came to Linda's mind when she heard that her husband was killed in an ambush. But the relief was short—depression set in, and Linda felt "ashamed" for falling apart.

These stories provide a glimpse into the plight of many of the American families of downed warriors in Iraq. Each family's grief is unique, but most share issues that are familiar to mental health professionals–adjustment, loss, grief, and anger.

Some families rely on friends, the Armed Forces community, and supportive family for help. But one of the issues that many (certainly not all) of these families also share is their reluctance to use the mental health services available to them.

Why? What makes providing counseling to these families so different from non-military families in mourning? And how can mental health professionals serve these families' needs?

Let's start with learning a little more about some of these families. Bear in mind, that there are many reactions to the loss of a family member and that not all families of downed warriors react the same. Yet, a constellation of beliefs, fears and adjustment issues does exist amongst many of these families, and it is important to become familiar with them.

Current Issues of Some American Military Families

At first, it seems that the most common issues of military families do not differ from the problems of families not in the military. People are people, as some say. After all, humans share common problems. Yet, military families often add elements to these issues that are unique to them.

Fear of Being “Found Out”

Many families worry about being seen in counselors' halls and waiting rooms and about being judged and "found out." They also worry about confidentiality. They believe that no matter what the organization, if it's affiliated with the armed forces, it will keep records that could easily be shared with other branches and departments.

Non-military families may have similar feelings, but military families carry with them an extra dose of shame of being "found flawed." They also say they "have had it" with the power of military and government rules. They long for privacy, and they have far higher doubts that their insurance can protect them. 

Mental Health Services and Insurance Issues

When the emotional and behavioral problems become too great, families might reach out to the mental health services of their insurance plans. Many families experience uneven quality of services, problems of continuity of care, restrictions on the number of mental health sessions or lack of freedom to choose they want.

Yet, non-military families experience these same issues. The difference is what one of my clients called "reaching the end of her rope" with her insurance. These families have higher expectations of the quality of their care. They believe that serving and sacrificing for their country permits them better treatment.

These families feel hurt and disrespected. When these feelings become too painful, the families often avoid seeking help. 

Lack of Trust in Some Services

The latest information about the unacceptable quality at Walter Reed Veterans Hospital reinforces their lack of trust in all services. However, there are many excellent Veterans Administration hospitals. When frustration peaks, it is easy to toss all hospitals and services into the "not good" pile.

Unfortunately, traveling to a quality Veterans Administration hospital is not easy. Military families may not have the financial ability or the family resources of a grandmother or aunt to assist with child-care. As one of my clients said, the families get "jaded and just give up."

Feeling Ashamed of Grieving

Since these families have now experienced both the anguish of not being able to control their grief reactions and also the shock of seeing what they perceive as a weak and shameful self, their trust in most military mental health services finally erodes. They believe that if they can't trust themselves any longer, then they certainly aren't going to trust the institution that let them down. 

Negative Judgements from the Public

Like many American soldiers who fought in Viet Nam, the American soldiers of Iraq and their families risk experiencing negative judgments from the public because of the civil and military difficulties, length of time of the war and loss of lives.

Families often worry about being accepted as well as valued for their patriotic contribution and sacrifice. One wife and mother said, "In the beginning, everyone clamored to wear a 9/11 pin. Now, no one wears one anymore." 

Fear of Being Weak

Military spouses are usually viewed as hardy, "salt-of-the-earth" type of people who raise resilient children to withstand relocations, absent parents and emotional pain. When the death of a spouse and parent occurs, these families often experience shame in feeling weak, out of control, and emotional.

The comments of one daughter speak for many: "I feel like I'm a disappointment to my father's legacy. He would be furious if he saw me crying and just being a basket case right now." 

Stresses of Widowhood

Military personnel often choose spouses whom they think can manage the anxiety of military life. The spouses often fit along a range from "independent and capable" to "can carry out orders." Imagine, then, the shock when some spouses find that after the death of their husband or wife, their life, household and financial management abilities crumble.

"I thought I had everything under control. I guess I've just been a soldier, not an officer," one wife said. She was fine as long as her husband provided a script, but she faltered at making new decisions. 

Living on Two Tracks

Like trauma survivors of the Holocaust and childhood sexual abuse, many surviving military spouses and family members describe themselves as "living on two tracks." One track takes them through daily life and the image they present to the world.

But the other track leads to their darker world inside, filled with anxiety, anger and depression. Even worse, some feel like imposters. "If you can fake it, you can make it," becomes their rally call. 

Unresolved Grief

Unresolved grief is one the biggest issues that military families report. As a result of their difficulties in handling grief, the families experience several "disconnections" between:
 
a) what was—and still is—expected of their coping skills, 

b) their previous view of themselves as hardy, tough and sturdy, 

c) normal grief and adjustment reactions, and 

d) their struggle to view these reactions as normal and not weak or shameful. Families often 
say things such as "I always saw myself as strong." Shame and confusion replace confidence. 

Ineffective Methods to Deal With Grief

To deal with their grief, families frequently rely on the same ineffective and often damaging coping mechanisms of non-military families. For example, depression, substance abuse or difficulty in working and parenting might occur.

What makes these grief responses of military families so different is that their unique burden of shame of not coping better, disappointment and anger in the quality of their mental health services and lack of perceived national support heightens the emotional intensity, duration, frequency and resistance to changing their ineffective coping tools.

Grief is already a lonely experience. This extra burden makes it even heavier. Soon, the families are caught in a shame-grief-shame cycle that eats away at their ability to change their behavior and negative self-view.

Reassessing Family Relationships

Finally, like many widows and widowers, the spouses often reassess their marriages. For example, wives might discover that they are "relieved" to be out of a bad marriage. Children also may see the deceased parent differently.

The difference in military families is the perceived pressure from the military community to maintain positive views of the deceased partner or parent. For example, serious flaws, such as domestic violence or child abuse might get overlooked. Children may have to work extra hard to conceal their anger at the living parent for having chosen a bad partner.

Military families often flip-flop internally between seeing the truth and glorifying the deceased. The family members sense a heightened taboo against saying anything negative about the deceased and keep secrets about their real feelings.

One of the surviving spouses described the difficulty of "keeping up appearances" that her husband and the father of her children was a "good man." "I don't know who I am anymore," she said. Over time, family tensions increased. The children sensed the lie, and the truth came out only after one of the children arrived at school drunk.

How Can Mental Health Professionals Help?

1. Renew your trust in mental health professionals. Try them out—just as you might try out a family physician. Find a person who makes you feel comfortable. Many professionals are willing to speak to you on the phone or provide a free consultation. Some people "Interview" several therapists. Ask openly about their willingness to work with military families. Ask if they have expertise with your specific issue.

2. Rethink your views of seeking help. You deserve to be happy and in charge of your life. Seeking help does not mean you are weak or ineffective. There is no shame in using therapists, pastors and other mental health professionals. In fact, most professionals know that the strong are often the ones most likely to ask for help.

3. Before you go to your appointment, make a list of the topics you want to discuss. Include information such as: a) when the problem began, b) what measures you've taken to solve the problem, c) why you think your efforts didn't work and d) what do you think might work.

4. If you don't like your therapist, speak up about what's not working. Consider trying the therapist for another visit before you select another one. Keep up the momentum of seeking help. If you thought you needed help, follow through on that instinct. Problems sometimes have a way of losing their urgency, but don't let this lull fool you. They tend to crop up again if you don't make effective changes.

5. Contact the Counseling Network of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation Counseling Network., www.specialops.org, a select network of therapists who are providing mental health services for free to families of downed warriors of the Iraq war.

The Warrior Foundation's initial mission was to guarantee college educations to all the children of downed special operations warriors. Over time, however, these families expressed their strong desire to receive counseling from outside their insurance company and the military establishment. Right now, there are over 600 children whose college education will be paid for by the monies that the Foundation raised.

The main office of the Foundation is in Tampa, Florida. Carolyn Becker is the Counseling Director. My husband and I have worked with Carolyn in setting up a free counseling network of volunteer counselors. If you are a family in need of help, you can contact Carolyn Becker at
beckerc@specialops.org

Or  you may call Dr. L.B. Wish at 941-363-0505 in Sarasota, Florida or reach her by e-mail at dr.l.b.wish@comcast.net.  

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Stress Management Real Life Story – Veterans and Combat Stress

Leaving the War Half a World Away
Living on High Alert
Living in a Hostile World
A Car Stuck in Passing Gear
Fitting in My Shoes Again

Leaving the War Half a World Away

Army National Guard
Specialist Chuck Ross

Army National Guard Specialist Chuck Ross had been home from Iraq for a few months when he and his wife Jennifer came to a decision. Chuck was having trouble adjusting to life back home in America. His problem wasn't extreme, but Chuck knew he "wasn't himself."

"He'd get anxious when we were in crowds," says Jennifer. "He would look around, worrying about the people around him. At night, he had trouble sleeping. He would ‘do rounds' in the house and check on everybody." For Chuck, the biggest problem was his overreaction to aggressive drivers. "I'd lose it when someone would cut me off," he remembers. "And every loud noise seemed like an attack."

All very understandable considering the action that Chuck had seen. In Iraq, it had been his job to transport major pieces of equipment across the country — a job that demanded his senses to be constantly on high alert.

Living on High Alert

"In Iraq, anybody else on the road was a threat," he explains. "You never knew who was out to ‘swiss-cheese' your vehicle. A fresh patch of asphalt in the road could be an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), so you had to watch for those. In crowds, anyone could be a suicide bomber." Lives depended on vigilance and swift reactions. And Chuck had been put to the test several times, when his convoy and his base suffered deadly attacks.

But what might have saved Chuck in Iraq was a liability at home in the United States. Driving became a problem, and Chuck wanted to pursue his commercial trucking license. He wasn't eating, he wasn't sleeping. Jennifer was worried.

Most importantly, both he and his wife recognized the symptoms of combat stress. Jennifer's stepfather and Chuck's father had served in Vietnam, and their families had suffered devastating effects from their fathers' PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Chuck's father ultimately committed suicide. Both of the young people had vowed they would not let war rob them of their lives together. So Chuck decided to seek counseling.

A friend recommended Dr. Rick Selig, a licensed social worker in private practice in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Selig had a great deal of experience in trauma and anxiety, and was quickly able to help Chuck take charge of himself.

Living in a Hostile World

"Think about living in a hostile environment for a year," Dr. Selig explains. "A world of snipers, rockets, mortars and  improvised explosive devices. Every minute of the day, your life and the life of your friends  is under constant threat.    Your survival depends on your ability to sense and anticipate danger."

Dr. Rick Selig
Social Worker

Dr. Selig explains that under these circumstances, the body physically ramps up. Senses become heightened, reaction time speeds up, and the body becomes ‘hyperaroused.'

"A little of that's good. It's classic ‘fight or flight' response, and it can save your life," says Dr. Selig. "The problem occurs when you're not ‘downrange' anymore. You're home in America trying to enjoy a 4th of July fireworks display without subjecting your family to a panic attack. Because it's a physical response, it's very hard to simply talk yourself out of it. You need to learn coping mechanisms while your body readjusts."

A  Car Stuck in Passing Gear

Dr. Selig has an apt metaphor for the body's response. "Think about the last time you were driving your car and needed to pass the vehicle in front of you.   As you pressed down on the accelerator, the car shifts into   passing gear allowing you to go faster in order to successfully pass the vehicle.   Now imagine that car being unable to downshift out of that passing gear.   The body’s response to prolonged exposure to high-stress states is quite similar."

Chuck needed to downshift. But more importantly, he needed to understand what was happening physically, and to develop techniques for coping in his new civilian environment. Counseling, education, and support were all part of the treatment. Chuck and Dr. Selig worked together on finding ways to help Chuck slow down, develop relaxation and breathing techniques, learn how to face stress without going into fight mode, and working through the worst of the war.

"As social workers, we're trained to look at a person in a comprehensive way," says Dr. Selig. "We look at everything.     We don’t just treat the symptoms, we look at everything: mental, physical, social, economic, and cultural influences.   Our goal is to create, restore or enhance the resources our clients need in order to realize their capacities for physical, social, and mental functioning."

"Fitting in My Shoes Again."

Today, Chuck has been able to put the stress of war behind him. "I knew I was better when I wasn't so anxious, and jumping at the slightest noise. I feel like I'm fitting in my shoes again," he says. "Counseling has helped me get back into civilian life. I can handle groups better. I can handle jobs and interviews better. If I hadn't had Dr. Selig to help, I don't know what I'd be doing now."

Dr. Selig respects Chuck's bravery in stepping forward and seeking counseling. "Chuck's symptoms were hardly extreme, but he could see that they were getting in the way. A lot of people coming back from combat wouldn't have had the courage to say ‘Look, I'm not feeling right. I've seen what this can do. I'm ending this problem now.'"

Chuck and Jennifer Ross

Chuck also wants other military personnel who experience combat stress to be honest and deal with it. "This isn't about being crazy, or being tough." he says. "That's not the case at all. It's about taking responsibility for yourself and your actions. You have to turn the mirror on yourself and deal with it. You can't do it alone. You need someone trained and educated who can tell you what you're going through, who can help you become a civilian again."

"More of us have to know about these services and use them," he says. "A year of war can ruin the rest of your life and your family's life, if you let it. I've seen it happen. You've got to protect and care for the people around you. That's what soldiers do."

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Related Articles:
The Mental Health Self-Assessment Program (MHAP)
is a voluntary, anonymous mental health and alcohol
service members affected by deployment or mobiliation.
Please click here to learn more.

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Stress Management Real Life Stories

Introduction

Here are several news articles about stress management.

 

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Stress Management – How Social Workers Help Veterans and Their Families

How Do I Know I Need A Social Worker?

You will find social workers in all program areas in Veterans Administration medical centers that are ready to help you with most any need. If you have questions or problems, the social worker will be able to help you or can refer you to the right person for help. Here are just some of the ways that VA social workers can help:

  • Financial or housing assistance

  • Applying for benefits from the VA, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government and community programs

  • Making sure your doctor and other VA staff on your treatment team know your decisions about end-of-life issues, generally called advance directives and living wills. This includes issues such as whether you want to be on life support equipment, whether you are an organ donor, and which family member or other person you have chosen to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make those decisions yourself.

  • Arranging for respite care for your caregiver so she or he can have a break or go on vacation without worrying about who will be caring for you.

  • If you would like help with moving to an assisted living facility or a nursing home

  • Getting help from the VA or from community agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, so you can continue to live in your own home

  • If you are having marriage or family problems

  • If someone close to you has passed away and you want to talk about it

  • If you think you may have problems with drinking or drug use

  • If you feel that someone is taking advantage of you or if you feel mistreated in a relationship

  • If you are a parent who feels overwhelmed with child care

  • If your parent or spouse is in failing health

  • If you are feeling stress because of your health or because your medical condition interferes with your daily activities

  • If you are feeling sad, depressed or anxious

  • If you really aren't sure what you need, but things just don't feel right.

How can social workers help veterans with problems and concerns?

  • Assessment:  The first step is generally for the social worker to meet with you, and often, if you decide it is a good idea, with your family. The social worker will ask you questions about your health, your living situation, your military experience, your family and other support systems, and other things you think you need help with. The social worker will then write an assessment that will help you and your VA health care team make treatment plans.

  • Crisis Intervention:  In a crisis situation, social workers can provide counseling services to help you get through the crisis. The social worker will then help you with more long-term needs. The social worker can help you apply for services and programs in your community and through the VA to meet emergent needs.

  • High-Risk Screening:  Social workers work particularly closely with those veterans who are at high risk, such as those who are homeless, those who have been admitted to the hospital several times, and those who cannot care for themselves any longer.

  • Discharge Planning:  If you are admitted to a VA hospital, the social worker will help you make plans for your discharge back home or to the community. If you need services in your home or if you can no longer live at home by yourself, the social worker can help you make arrangements for the help you need.

  • Case Management:  Social workers often provide long-term case management services to veterans who are at high risk of being admitted to a hospital, those who have very complex medical problems, and those who need additional help and support. They are available when needed to provide and coordinate a variety of services you may need, including counseling or support services or just helping you figure out what you need and how to get it. 

  • Advocacy:  Sometimes it can be hard for a veteran to speak up for himself or herself. And sometimes veterans are confused by such a big, bureaucratic agency like the VA. Social workers can advocate for you and go to bat for you when you have a hard time knowing how to do it by yourself.

  • Education:  Social workers can help educate you and your family about your health care condition, what services and programs are available to you, how you can live a more healthy life, how you can deal with stress and loss, and how you can find support groups and other self-help programs in your community.

    Social workers also educate other staff in the medical center and in the community about VA programs and services and about how problems veterans may be having in their personal lives can impact their health.

VA social workers can help you with all of these types of services, plus many, many more. If you have a problem or a question, you can ask a social worker. We're here to help you!

If you need social work assistance regarding a veteran contact  VA Central Office

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Association of Social Workers or its members.

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