"Each year we bring our fifth graders to experience the Adventure Learning Center's alpine tower, giant swing, and team building exercises. They always come back energized, proud, and united! I believe it is one of the best field trips for kids! The staff is always positive, encouraging and totally dedicated to the kids. "

— 5th Grade Counselor, New Hanover County Schools

Serving Veterans

Veteran’s Day is a time for us to reflect and thank the veterans in our lives. However, let us also remember how we can play a part in ensuring veterans, service members and their families receive access to the services they need.

  • According to SAMHSA “There are an estimated 23.4 million veterans in the United States, and about 2.2 million military service members and 3.1 million immediate family members.
  • Approximately 18.5% of returning service members have PTSD or depression, and 19.5% report experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during deployment.
  • Between 2004 and 2006, 7.1% of U.S. veterans met the criteria for a substance use disorder.
  • Veterans make up 20% of national suicides.
  • About 10% of homeless people are veterans and about 70% of homeless veterans also experience a substance use disorder.
  • Mental and substance use disorders caused more hospitalizations among U.S. troops in 2009 than any other cause.

How can you help? Help make sure veterans, service members and their families receive the resources they need. The SAMHSA-HRSA Center for Integrated Health Solutions released an updated guide that features an array of resources to support you in serving veterans, service members and their families. The guide is broken up into two sections:

  • Key sources of information, trainings, and clinical tools to support primary and behavioral health care providers in the delivery of culturally competent, quality care to veterans.
  • Resources you can share directly with veterans and family members so they can learn how to access an array of services and benefits they have earned.

 

For more information on the work SAMHSA is doing to help Veterans and Military Families click here.