Ensuring our Military Veterans College Success

1

• Ensuring our Military Veterans College Success
• Kolin Williams, M.S.
• Counselor, Disabled Student Programs Services
• American River College, Sacramento

2
Demographics

• California holds the largest number of veterans
  in the nation (2.2 million). California
  Community Colleges currently enrolls 17,000 of
  the 22,000 veterans enrolled in higher education
  in the state and an estimated 8,000 to 10,000
  active duty personnel, not including dependents.
• Since October 2001, more than 1.7 million U.S.
  servicemen and women have served in Iraq and
  Afghanistan.
• 4181 US military killed and 32,000 wounded since
  operations began.
• 182,000 women deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan
• As of April 2007 there are over 15,600 veterans
  attending CCC with 690 veterans enrolled at
  American River College.
• The average age of a returning soldier is 22-27.

3
Aspects of the War in Iraq Afghanistan

• It is worse than you think.
• Returning veterans often report horrendous
  conditions and events.
• 95 of veterans report being in a firefight
• Most have witnessed peers killed or wounded
  violently
• Many have handled human remains
• Wars involving insurgency, hand-to-hand combat,
  no clear battle lines, and low enemy
  discrimination are often brutal and lead to low
  morale over time.
• Multiple deployments are the norm.
• War/combat produces its own reality and
  contingencies which conflict with the reality at
  home.

4
Aspects of the Veteran Population

• Veterans are a diverse population with many
  different viewpoints and opinions.
• Veterans tend to be disciplined, mature, and
  committed to academic success.
• 52 of those deployed are married compared with
  5 during WWII
• Veterans tend to seek out one another
• The average age of OEF/OIF veterans is 22-27yrs
  old.
• Many only have a basic H.S. education.
• Some veterans do not want to talk about their
  experience, however, others do.

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What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a
  debilitating condition that can occur after
  exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which
  grave physical harm occurred or was threatened.
• Key factors intensity of harm or threat and the
  duration of intense harm or threat.
• PTSD can also be caused by killing. (Trauma by
  Killing)

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Incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD) in Veteran population

• One in four Iraq veterans are estimated to suffer
  from a mental health condition such as Post
  Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD) major
  depression or generalized anxiety (APA, 2007).
• 300,000 OEF/OIF service members currently suffer
  from PTSD or major depression as reported by the
  VA.
• 17 of GWOT veterans met the criteria for major
  depression, generalized anxiety, or PTSD
  (Koffman, 2004).
• Due to stigma, many cases are not reported.

7
Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

• Social impairment
• General loss of interest
• Memory deficits
• Increased arousal or hyper-vigilance
• Avoidance behavior
• Depression
• Substance Abuse
• Lack of emotional control

8
Additional Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

• Exaggerated startle response
• Sleep disorders
• Anger
• Feelings of intense guilt
• Psychological Numbing
• Flashbacks
• Lack of concentration

9
What is Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI)?

• A mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) is caused by
  a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head
  injury that disrupts the function of the brain.
• Caused by external physical force to the head
• Concussion, with or without loss of consciousness
• (Hoge et al., 2004)
  

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Incidence of mTBI?

• Incidence of mTBI in Iraq 10-20 have sustained
  one concussion or more.
• Why?
• Technological advances in personal armament
  reduce deaths but increases severity of injuries
  to head and extremities.
• Modern military medicine allows for life-saving
  trauma care in the war zone with immediate
  transport to specialized medical facilities and
  rehabilitation.
• (Bilmes, 2007)

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Signs and Symptoms of mTBI

• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
• Memory loss
• Anxiety
• Headache
• Insomnia/sleep problems
• Irritability/mood changes
• Dizziness/Imbalance
• Poor concentration/attention
• Excessive Fatigue physical and mental
• Vision change blurred or vision
• Depression
• Noise/light intolerance
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• (DSM-IV, 1994)

12
Why Dont Veterans Utilize Disabled Student
Services?

• Stigma
• Defined as the shame or disgrace attached to
  something regarded as socially unacceptable
  (Wilson, 2008).
• Studies find that veterans afflicted with a
  mental health condition were twice as likely to
  be concerned about the possibility of being
  stigmatized by their cohorts (Hoge, 2004).
• Veterans with disabilities often refer to
  themselves as wounded warriors, not viewing
  themselves as disabled in the general sense of
  the word.
• The negative social connotations associated with
  being disabled or having a mental health
  condition are significant.
• Fear of being viewed as broken or psycho

13
Readjustment Issues and Classroom Challenges

• Lack of awareness regarding VA benefits and
  resources
• Career and educational anxieties
• Multiple deployments
• Complexity of GI Bill
• Loss of camaraderie
• Having to navigate multiple college departments
• Interpersonal stressors (Family, Career, Military
  Unit)
• Financial challenges
• Delay in GI Bill payment (Often 8 weeks or more)
• Excessive paperwork and forms to be completed
• Complex adjustment issues

14
Common Classroom Issues for Veterans

• Trouble with large classrooms
• Academic requirements can add to existing stress,
  especially if the veteran has a mental health
  conditions.
• Inability to access vital information
• Difficulty listening to peers and professors
  express negative war views
• The need for understanding
• Medications are unreliable and can cause over
  sedation which may increase hyper-vigilance.
• Driving
• Problems focusing
• Many only have basic reading, writing, and math
  skills.

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Best Practices for Counselors

• Recommend only a few courses to ease transition.
• Inquire about deployments and length of service.
• Have a resource guide so that adequate referrals
  are made.
• Recommend school resources such as tutoring, peer
  support groups, and other academic services.
• Offer to be the advisor for a Veterans Club.
• Inquire about sleep patterns, caffeine intake,
  and/or alcohol use.
• Know symptoms of PTSD and TBI
• Know basic information on Post 911 GI Bill

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Recommendations for Faulty

• Be flexible with attendance for student veterans
  who have appointments with the VA.
• Be aware of military spouses and family members
  with individuals deployed.
• If your course covers war topics, establish a
  safe atmosphere where veterans are free to
  express their experiences.
• Allow for seating accommodations at the front of
  the room or near an exit.
• Include this type of veterans information on your
  syllabus.

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How American River College Helps Veterans
Readjust

• Veterans Club
• Created a Community Service Guide for Veterans
  with Disabilities
• Yahoo Groups Website
• Bulletin Board
• Facilitated the Road Home Conference
• Created a Veterans Scholarship
• TBI Support Group