Most veterans have usually been exposed to traumatizing undertakings during combat. Besides, they are usually separated from their families for a long period of time, a factor that reduces their likelihood to better integrate back not only into their families but also the community at large. Due to the above reasons, their psychological needs, as well as socialization aspects, must be taken care so that they can be able to live a healthy life after a long time of deployment into waring zones (Currier et al., 2015).
Counseling is an important aspect that helps veterans to forget traumatic experiences that they encountered during war. Such experiences include serious injuries as well as witnessing other soldiers being killed (Popivanov et al., 2013). Long-term anxiety as a result of such experiences might lead to depression as well as an adoption of unhealthy ways of dealing with such thoughts. Some veterans might be involved in aspects such as drug consumption as a result. By counseling them, it is possible to distract them and hence, prevent them from possibly engaging in costly undertakings.
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Integration into their families as well as the community at large is another need that needs to be addressed to help better the lives of veterans. During combat, such individuals leave their families and communities and might find advancement as well as changes that they did not leave. As a result, the transitioning back to their original lives becomes difficult. Programs that should address such needs are crucial. Besides, families who might have been deployed to the war zones with their loved ones should be counseled more often. Moreover, parents with children who have served in the army should receive counseling services to mitigate the effects of constant anxiety (DeVoe et al., 2017).
As an advocate for the needs of the veterans, one of the most essential skills required is convincing skills as well as an understanding of the needs of this population. One should also possess excellent communication skills to be able to voice out thoughts on the above topic.
Due to their experience, nurses can advocate for the needs of these individuals by shading light into their mental health needs and how exposure to war for a long time affects them. They can also give advice on how such needs can be addressed effectively. Their understanding of psychology puts them in a better position to advocate for their social needs.
References
Currier, J. M., Holland, J. M., & Malott, J. (2015). Moral injury, meaning making, and mental health in returning veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology , 71 (3), 229-240.
DeVoe, E. R., Paris, R., Emmert-Aronson, B., Ross, A., & Acker, M. (2017). A randomized clinical trial of a postdeployment parenting intervention for service members and their families with very young children. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy , 9 (S1), 25.
Popivanov, G., Belokonski, E., Mutafchiyski, V., Parashkevov, A., & Kjossev, K. (2013). COMBAT GUNSHOT INJURIES–OUR EXPERIENCE FROM AFGHANISTAN. Balkan Military Medical Review , 16 .
