How to Give Back to Those Who Have Served Us
Think about those who have served in this country coming home from months or years of deployment.
This might seem like a blessing to those who have something to look forward to, like families, friends, housing, and support groups. The reality is, it is often hard to transition from military life to civilian life.
Many veterans face barriers when returning to civilian life that puts them in an uncertain reality. According to The Department of U.S Veterans Affairs, the amount of veterans that are homeless is increasing in numbers through the recent years.
This spike in homelessness amongst veterans could be caused by multiple factors such as increasing housing rates, being unable to find a livable income, lack of health care, mental health issues, or substance abuse.
About 11% of the homeless population is veterans, which is a concerning and unacceptable statistic, especially since they risked their lives to protect this country.
As civilians, it is important that we educate ourselves and help them overcome their difficulties.
Why is it hard to find a livable income after the military?
Finding a livable income after retiring from the military is not easy. Multiple factors prevent veterans from getting a well-paid job. For example, skill translation doesn’t go well in a civilian job unless they are applying for a defense contracting job.
Why do veterans face life without health care?
Veterans make up 12 percent of the uninsured population in America since most veterans were in the working class. Many veterans are too poor to pay for private health insurance and oftentimes do not qualify for health insurance through the Veterans Affairs Department.
A study through the American Journal of Public Health stated that in 2004 roughly 1.8 million veterans didn’t have healthcare. VA hospitals are more focused on veterans who are wounded and have a disability, but in recent years the number of unwounded veterans and higher-income veterans has skyrocketed. This situation leads to a longer waiting list and a freeze to the enrollment plan because the budgets cannot keep up.
What mental health issues are faced by veterans?
Many veterans face obstacles when trying to get help for their mental health issues. vigorous mental health challenges such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety have been directly linked to substance abuse and homelessness. Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than those who never served in the military.
In 2017, more than 6,100 veterans committed suicide and nearly two-thirds of them didn’t get treatment through Veterans Administration hospital. Even with the increase in federal investment funds, the suicide rate from 2013 to 2019 is higher than ever. The lack of treatment for our veteran’s mental health issues has claimed far too many lives.
What are some ways to help veterans?
There are many ways to make a difference for former military members. A simple “Thank you for your service” goes long ways or the random acts of kindness can go even farther. Here are some ways you can show your appreciation for their service.
- If you see a veteran at a restaurant or a coffee shop, help pay for their meals or drinks. Also, you don’t have to limit yourself just to meals and drinks, you can help simply by paying for a tank of gas or groceries. Your altruism and genuine act of kindness can impact the rest of their day for the better.
- Find a local Veterans Administration Hospital to volunteer at. Regardless of what skills you have or don’t have, your local VA hospital always welcomes you. Just a couple hours of your day at the VA hospital could help the staff and the patients by a simple companion for them.
- Volunteer at a local Operation Reveille event. This event is continuous throughout the year for a couple of days, which helps provide essential needs to veterans. Essential needs include housing solutions, food, health care screening, and counseling if they are dealing with mental health issues. By volunteering at Operation Reveille events, you can help them gain access to essential items.
- Spend some time writing a thank you card to our veterans by sending them to Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends out care packages and cards to our frontline workers and veterans to uplift their spirits. Additionally, you can virtually volunteer during this time of COVID-19.
- Educate yourself with different kinds of mental health challenges, in particular to PTSD, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Be willing to understand it and be the support system that every veteran needs while also allowing yourself to be present whenever they come across these challenges.
How can Linens N Love youth leaders help our veterans?
At Linens N Love, we appreciate our veterans and express our gratitude through our volunteer events known as “deliveries”. We are looking forward to our next delivery to Patriots & Paws, which was originally planned for March 2020 to donate 1,000 linens but we have decided to postpone the delivery to follow health precautions.
During our Patriots & Paws delivery, we are looking forward to the tour of the facility, an experience in which the tour guides teach our student leaders about the veteran’s shelter and how Linens N Love student leaders can continue to support veterans. In the meantime, Linens N Love youth leaders are still advocates supporting veterans through online activism and donating thank you notes.
Sources
Mental Health, www.mentalhealth.va.gov/MENTALHEALTH/suicide_prevention/index.asp/
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/.
“The Ongoing Veteran Healthcare Crisis.” , NLC Staff, 8 Nov. 2019, citiesspeak.org/2019/11/08/the-ongoing-veteran-healthcare-crisis/.
“Veteran’s Without Health Care”, 9 Nov. 2007, www.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/opinion/09fri2.html#:~:text=Most%20of%20the%20uninsured%20veterans,because%20there%20was%20no%20V.A.
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