Abstract
The primary focus of the proposal is to examine the viability of the readjustment counseling program for veterans in the U.S. The proposal assesses the problems faced by veterans that the proposed program will solve. These include social, economic, educational, health, and other issues that affect the welfare of veterans when reintegrating into society after service. The proposal also examines the history of the readjustment program in the U.S., including the criteria used by stakeholders to examine the legitimacy of veterans for the initiative. Finally, the proposal examines the gaps and challenges in the veterans’ counseling programs and the benefits of the system for vets transitioning into civilian lives in the U.S.
Problem Statement
The readjustment counseling program aims to provide mental health and welfare assistance to service members after completing their tenure at military organizations and experiencing traumatic events. Vet Center (2022) indicates that military service members experience traumatic events that impact their mental health and social development. The issues ex-service members face that the program will solve include anxiety, the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, the program will provide family, individual, group, marriage, and relationship counseling services to enhance veterans’ transition into civilian lives. Based on this information, the program targets to serve ex-service members, National Guard and Reserve components, their families, and spouses of all ages and sexes through mental health areas of practice (Vet Center, 2022). The program will be rolled out in all 50 states of the U.S. to enhance the welfare and mental health of service members integrating back into civilian life.
The Significance and Relevance of the Problem and Program
Ex-service members experience health, social, and financial issues requiring the readjustment counseling program. Derefinko et al. (2019) research with 90 veterans revealed that after serving in the military or related organizations, veterans continue to experience anger, PTSD, as well as substance use disorder (SUD). The study also confirmed that the veterans experience family and relationship issues after leaving the forces, leading to divorce and separation from partners and children. Concerning this, Keeling et al. (2020) highlight that veterans face family issues during the military-to-civilian transition (MCT) because of frequent relocation during and after serving their nations. Additionally, in Alabama, Albright’s (2018) study revealed that in Alabama, ex-service members face social, financial, and economic issues such as unemployment. Ex-service members face challenges transitioning into civilian life because of stigma regarding their mental health issues (Botero et al., 2020). In addition, suicide prevalence among veterans as they integrate into normal civilian lifestyles is high (Sokol et al., 2021). These are among the socio-economic, mental health, and welfare issues; ex-service members face, which the readjustment counseling program will solve in the U.S.
Etiology and Causes of the Problem
Social issues are among the factors that hinder effective MCT. These social issues include societal stigma and discrimination against veterans because of their financial, economic, mental, and physical health issues. For instance, Wilson et al. (2021) indicate that the violation of privacy rights and boundaries of the veterans from societal members makes it hard for them to disclose their problems to second and third parties. Botero et al. (2020) also indicate that female veterans face stigma because of their mental health, financial, economic, and other life issues during MCT. As a result, the ex-service members are reluctant to seek welfare, mental health, financial, and other assistance from welfare and community programs as well as caregivers, family members, or friends.
Ethical problems also hinder successful VCT. These include issues resulting from society members and care providers violating the veterans’ social, cultural, health, and other human values. Therefore, while providing mental health care to veterans in the readjustment counseling program, professionals must abide by the ethical principles and code of conduct of psychologists. According to the American Psychological Association (APA) (2017) and the National Organization for Human Services (n.d.), the principles require mental health professionals in readjustment programs to respect veterans’ privacy rights. The professionals should also respect veterans’ human values, including their social, health, cultural, religious, relationship, and economic needs of the veterans.
Finally, economic issues faced by veterans also affect their transition back to civilian lives. Albright et al. (2018) indicate that in Alabama, veterans have limited resources to support VCT. For instance, the state lacks mental health facilities, financial support, and veteran service institutions to enhance their reintegration into society. In addition, post-secondary, graduate, and other college-level educational opportunities are limited for veterans transitioning into civilian lives. As a result, the veterans engage in other unhealthy and unproductive lifestyles to manage transitioning stress and difficulties. The lack of financial and economic resources also reduces veterans’ access to quality healthcare services to enhance their welfare.
The Program
Background or History of Proposed Program and Other Similar Initiatives
The readjustment counseling programs and services have been operational for nearly 30 years. Batres (n.d.) indicates that the government, with other non-governmental organizations, started this program to appreciate and recognize ex-service members for serving and protecting the security, safety, and interests of the U.S. government and citizens. The program’s mission is to enhance the reintegration of veterans, family, members, and loved ones into everyday lives after serving the nation for long periods in the military (Batres, n.d.). In this context, congress legitimized this program through the 38 USC 1712A (Website without Author, n.d.). The 38 USC 1712A helps assess veterans’ eligibility for reintegration counseling programs. Among the eligibility criteria include holders of Iraq Campaign, Navy Expeditionary, Kovoso Serve, Korea Service, and Airforce Combat Action medals, among other service-membership honors.
Gaps in the Existing Readjustment Counselling Programs
The limited number of readjustment counseling centers is the primary gap in the veterans’ readjustment system. The limited availability of counseling facilities makes the program inaccessible for veterans living in distant and remote locations. Vets with other work and personal commitments also find it hard to access counseling facilities in the U.S. (Government Accountability Office (GAO), 2022). In this case, veterans spend more time as well as face location, transport, and commitment barriers when needing readjustment counseling services.
Staff burnout is another barrier facing the readjustment counseling system of the U.S. The limited counseling facilities also increase the risks of staff burnout among mental health workers at the Vet centers. The number of caregivers in the counseling facilities is lower than that of patients or clients seeking care. Generally, the number of service members visiting these facilities is more than the available resources to provide care (Kube & Gardella, 2019). Consequently, staff burnout affects the quality of services, professional satisfaction, and access to efficient care for veterans in the program.
The proposed readjustment counseling program increases veterans’ access to social, health, financial, economic, and educational benefits in the service delivery system. As of 2010, over 1.2 million veterans benefited from this program (Batres, n.d.). The ex-service members’ benefits include community outreach and education, marital counseling, family advice, and relationship therapies. The programs also provide the veterans with MST counseling and referral, employment opportunities, and demobilization services (Batres, n.d.). Veterans can access other benefits from the initiatives in the U.S., including Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) service and referrals, as well as vocational assistance for the mentally and physically disabled ex-service members.
References
Albright, D. L., McCormick, W. H., Carroll, T. D., Currier, J. M., Thomas, K. H., Hamner, K., & Deiss, J. (2018). Barriers and resources for veterans’ post-military transitioning in south Alabama: A qualitative analysis. Traumatology, 24(3), 236 – 245. Web.
American Psychological Association [APA]. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. Including 2010 and 2016 amendments. American Psychological Association [APA]. Web.
Batres, A. R. (n.d.). Readjustment counseling service. N.Y. Health Foundation. Web.
Botero Jr, G., Rivera, N. I., Calloway, S. C., Ortiz, P. L., Edwards, E., Chae, J., & Geraci, J. C. (2020). A lifeline in the dark: Breaking through the stigma of veteran mental health and treating America’s combat veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(5), 831-840. Web.
Derefinko, K. J., Hallsell, T. A., Isaacs, M. B., Colvin, L. W., Salgado Garcia, F. I., & Bursac, Z. (2019). Perceived needs of veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 46(3), 384-398. Web.
Government Accountability Office [GAO]. (2022). V.A. Vet Centers: Opportunities exist to help better ensure veterans’ and servicemembers’ readjustment counseling needs are met. Government Accountability Office [GAO]. Web.
Keeling, M., Borah, E. V., Kintzle, S., Kleykamp, M., & Robertson, H. C. (2020). Military spouses transition too! A call to action to address spouses’ military to civilian transition. Journal of Family Social Work, 23(1), 3-19. Web.
Kube, C., & Gardella, R. (2019). Former therapist: V.A. is hurting mental health care for combat veterans at its Vet Centers. NBC News. Web.
National Organization for Human Services. (n.d.). Ethical standards for human services professionals. National Organization of Human Services adopted 2015. Web.
Sokol, Y., Gromatsky, M., Edwards, E. R., Greene, A. L., Geraci, J. C., Harris, R. E., & Goodman, M. (2021). The deadly gap: Understanding suicide among veterans transitioning out of the military. Psychiatry Research, 300, 113875. Web.
Vet Center. (2022). Vet centers (Readjustment counseling). U.S Department of Veteran Affairs. Web.
A website without Author. (n.d.). 38 USC 1712A: Eligibility for readjustment counseling and related mental health services. House.gov. Web.
Wilson, S. R., Hintz, E. A., MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M., Topp, D. B., Southwell, K. H., & Spoont, M. (2021). Female U.S. military veterans’ (non) disclosure of mental health issues with family and friends: Privacy rules and boundary management. Health Communication, 36(4), 412-423. Web.