As I have mentioned previously, interning at ShelterCare has given me a heightened sense of awareness. I now ponder every homeless person I see. Where did they come from? How did they get here? What is their story and what would change their circumstances? Recently, I have noticed the tattered army green jackets and the "homeless veteran" signs. The more homeless veterans I notice, the more it makes me seethe. These brave men and women, who bravely stood on the front lines to protect us are now begging for scraps on the side of the road. The unjust epidemic of homeless veterans has got me thinking-those stickers are nice, but do we (or does the government) really "support our troops"?
Well here is a conversation starter for you: "On any given day, as many as 250,000 veterans (male and female) are living on the streets or in shelters, and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year" (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). Pardon my slang, but that is whack. I do not know much about what is promised upon signing up, but I have seen a few Army commercials in my day, and I know that the Army Reserves guarantees you a college education and job skills. Those who actually serve must be awarded these same benefits. Now that I think of it, the problem isn't the opportunities our veterans receive after serving. Instead, it is the lack of preparation and accommodation given to our vets that hinders their ability to take advantage of said opportunities.
I have had the opportunity, through the FHS program, to learn a few things about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It is most certainly a mental illness that affects one's ability to function normally in society. It is also a huge concern among veterans. 300,000 veterans have been diagnosed with PTSD or major depression since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and it is documented that only half have sought treatment (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs). That is absolutely alarming. Notice the close correlation between the amount of homeless veterans and those with a mental illness. Coincidence? I think not.
Unfortunately, despite those well-meaning promises of education and pride, mental illness can rob veterans of the ability to sit in a classroom and gain the skills necessary to support themselves. Veterans are also forced to leave behind an extremely regimented lifestyle. They no longer have meticulous orders to follow and must relearn the simplest of tasks.
In my opinion, there needs to be an intensive treatment plan for all veterans who attempt to re-enter civilian society. ShelterCare provides individually based treatment, as do many programs, but the government should take responsibility for this nationally crippling problem. At the very least, a large chunk of change should be distributed between those agencies that attempt to rehabilitate war-torn veterans.
I am not really sure what we can provide other than compassion, gratitude and understanding. Spread awareness and seek answers for those who cannot care for themselves. The veteran population contributes greatly to the homeless population; if we can find a way to help them, then we are that much closer to ending homeless.
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