Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Initiation into the Military - Part 1

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Initiation into the Military - Part 1 is presented by Kristen J. Vescera, PhD, MPH, MA.

“I didn’t serve. I can’t understand what my Veteran clients went through.” The Veteran Identity and Mental Heath training series follows a Veteran through three transition points.

This program takes the audience through the initiation process of a Veteran’s identity shift from civilian life into the military. The remaining programs explore transitions that may occur while in the military -including trauma experiences- and the return to civilian life. Each transition point impacts the Veteran’s identity beyond their service. This includes expectations at each transitional stage of service that, if fulfilled or not, may impact one’s sense of self as a Veteran upon discharge.

This program provides the context of Veteran culture through the lens of the military experience and asks the learner to think about the Service Member through experiential exercises in order to get “comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Broad military-culture-related definitions and terms will be explored through the context of development and identity formation. This unique learning experience offers the opportunity for learners to explore their own attitudes and beliefs about the Veterans they work with.

This program is intended for professionals who work (or live) with Veterans at any stage of their career and can benefit from the unique perspectives available in this learning experience.