|
|
Message from VA Secretary Denis McDonough
Dear Student Veterans and VA Beneficiaries,
At VA, we’ve been struck by the news of hundreds of protests on campuses across America, and we recognize that some of you may be impacted – both by these protests, and by the ongoing conflicts across the world. During this difficult moment, we want you to know that we at VA are here to support you and the millions of other student Veterans who use VA services.
As President Biden has said, “There should be no place on any campus, no place in America for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students. There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it’s antisemitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans.”
If you need support, or if you ever feel threatened, you can always talk with your friends and families, reach out to battle buddies, connect with a peer-to-peer network, or sign up for mental health services. We can also help in other ways at VA, and if you scroll down, you will find some resources that may be helpful to you.
I’m reminded during this moment, as I am so often, that our nation’s core freedoms exist because of Veterans like you. Your service and sacrifice guaranteed our rights as Americans, and our nation is forever grateful to you for everything that you have done.
We deeply admire the steps that you’re taking to continue to serve our nation by furthering your education and taking on leadership roles in your communities. As always, please know that we are here for you – today and every day.
DM
Resources available to you right now
|
|
Common Reactions
Feeling distress is a normal reaction to negative events, especially ones that feel personal or related to ongoing conflicts. It can be helpful to let yourself feel those feelings rather than try to avoid them. Often, these feelings will naturally run their course. If they continue without easing up or if you feel overwhelmed by them, the suggestions below can be helpful.
Strategies for Managing Ongoing Distress
Consider the ways that your service made a difference, the impact it had on others’ lives or on your own life. Remember that now is just one moment in time and that things will continue to change.
Here are some general coping strategies that you may want to try:
-
Engage in Positive Activities. Try to engage in positive, healthy, or meaningful activities, even if they are small, simple actions. Doing things that are rewarding, meaningful, or enjoyable, even if you don’t feel like it, can make you feel better.
-
Stay Connected. Spend time with people who give you a sense of security, calm, or happiness, or those who best understand what you are going through.
-
Practice Good Self Care. Look for positive coping strategies that help you manage your emotions. Listening to music, exercising, practicing breathing routines, spending time in nature or with animals, journaling, or reading inspirational text are some simple ways to help manage overwhelming or distressing emotions.
-
Stick to Your Routines. It can be helpful to stick to a schedule for when you sleep, eat, work, and do other day-to-day activities.
-
Limit Media Exposure. Limit how much news you take in if media coverage is increasing your distress.
-
Use a mobile app. Consider one of VA’s self-help apps (see https://www.ptsd.va.gov/appvid/mobile/) such as PTSD Coach which has tools that can help you deal with common reactions like, stress, sadness, and anxiety. You can also track your symptoms over time.
-
PTSD Coach Online.A series of online video coaches will guide you through 17 tools to help you manage stress. PTSD Coach Online is used on a computer, rather than a mobile device, and therefore can offer tools that involve writing.
If you develop your own ways of adapting to ongoing events and situations, you may gain a stronger sense of being able to deal with challenges, a greater sense of meaning or purpose, and an ability to mentor and support others in similar situations.
|
|
Download the VA Welcome Kit
Find a VA facility near you.
|
|
|
|
|
