Veterans


UTMB Student Mental Health Crisis Line

Professionals Available 24/7/365

Depressed, Anxious, Suicidal?
Let Us Help!

(409) 747-HELP (4357)


Location:

Lee Hage Jamail
Student Center, 3rd Floor

301 University Blvd.
Galveston, Texas
77555-1369
View map.

Phone: (409) 747-9508
Fax: (409) 747-9330
Email: SHCemail@utmb.edu
Hours: Mon-Friday, 8am - 5 pm

Veterans

  • Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) recognizes and honors the sacrifices of those who have served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces.

    Transition to civilian life can lead to various challenges, including academic, social, physical, financial, emotional, and relational.

    Common symptoms may include the following:

    • Recurring and intrusive memories and/or dreams of the event
    • Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening
    • Intense distress in response to cues resembling some aspects of the event
    • Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations related to the event
    • Diminished interest in participating in important or previously enjoyable activities
    • Feeling detachment or estrangement from others
    • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
    • Irritability or outbursts of anger
    • Difficulty concentrating
    • Hypervigilance and being easily startled by noises and movements
    • Abuse of alcohol or other drugs
    • Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
    • Suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors
    • Feelings of paranoia without any real evidence that others have ill intentions

    Suggestions for a Successful Transition

    Fortunately, there are a number of steps that veterans can take to put their military experience into perspective and regain a sense of control and normalcy. Among the recommendations to facilitate a successful transition to civilian and academic lives are:

    • Pay attention to physical well-being. Eat well-balanced meals, get plenty of rest, and build physical activity into daily life.
    • Seek balance in life. The experience of combat can make veterans jaded and pessimistic. Balance that viewpoint by focusing on people and events which are meaningful, comforting, and encouraging.
    • Limit use of alcohol and illegal substances. Use of these substances increases the likelihood of depression, insomnia, relationship problems, academic difficulties, legal troubles and a host of other negative issues.
    • Appreciate a sense of humor in yourself and others. Humor relieves stress, produces body chemicals that improve mood, and helps us to gain a more balanced perspective. Do not postpone joy and laughter should they come your way.
    • Limit exposure to war-related news reports (e.g., news channels, newspapers, Web sites, etc.). While keeping informed of developments is important, the 24/7 media machine typically ignores stories of heroism, resilience, and sacrifice and instead focuses on the most horrific images and troubling accounts.
  • You may also find the following on-line resources helpful:

    Department of Veterans Affairs

    VA's resource page for veteran students and their families

    National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (affiliated with the VA)

    National Institute of Mental Health: A discussion of PTSD symptoms, treatments and resources

    Student Veterans of America (SVA) is a coalition of student veterans groups from college campuses across the United States

    IAVA (Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America)
    The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and the Ad Council teamed up to develop a multimedia public service ad campaign designed to give returning veterans a way to help each other through the unique issues they face in their transition home.

    Half of Us MTV and The Jed Foundation want to initiate a public dialogue to raise awareness about the prevalence of mental health issues on campus and connect students to the appropriate resources to get help.

    Military Pathways
    Free, online self-assessment screenings available. The self-assessments are a series of questions that, when linked together, help create a picture of how an individual is feeling and whether they could benefit from talking to a health professional.