Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Military Service - Part 2

2 Hours | 2 CEs

This on-demand professional training program on Veteran Identity and Mental Health: Military Service - Part 2 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.

The first program on the Initiation into the Military introduced the transition from civilian life into the military. While it is not a requirement, taking the first program in the series is strongly recommended.

This program takes the audience through the process of transition considerations during a Service Member’s time in the military that ultimately impacts their identity as a Veteran after service. 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.

Veteran culture is explored 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.” Military life will be discussed within the context of the service era, relationships, and the importance of hierarchies within the military. Broad military-culture-related definitions and terms are explored through the context of development and identity formation. This unique learning experience allows learners to explore their 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.