7 Resources for Veterans Coming Home from Deployment

One might expect that coming home from deployment is a great feeling for veterans. They’re leaving behind all the danger and stress that comes from active duty, and instead exchanging it for life at home. And while most veterans are certainly happy to be coming home, that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Many veterans and their families struggle when the veteran first returns home. The veteran often must deal with both mental and physical health issues, and then worry about the next stages of their life – such as their career. Luckily, there are resources out there that can help. Through websites like Military Connection, returning veterans and their families can find plenty of assistance and advice. Here are some of the best resources available to you, to help you get your life on track going forward.

Health Resources

The first thing you’ll want to take care of is your health. Many veterans return with physical injuries, mental health problems, or some combination of both. No matter your issues, it’s important that you get the correct help. Here are two resources you can check out:

National Center for PTSD – One of the most common symptoms for returning veterans is PTSD – or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The warzones might be behind you, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t leave an impact. PTSD negatively impacts your mental health and can make it hard to function on a daily basis. The National Center for PTSD will work with you to cope with this illness and give you the tools you need to thrive post-deployment.

Veterans Crisis Hotline – It’s an unfortunate fact that many veterans, after returning home, turn to suicide. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or suicidal, reach out to the Veterans Crisis Hotline. They are available to talk to at all hours of the day and can help you to get through this dark period.

Career and Education

Your next major concern after your health is likely your career. You’ve spent so much time in the military that you’re unsure of what to do next. If this sounds like you, don’t stress – you’re far from the only one. There are some resources out there that can help you to further your education or help you to transition into a new job.

Accredited Schools Online – This website can provide you with all the information you need if you want to go onto higher education. Through this site you can learn about the requirements in your state, some schools that might be a good fit for you, and even pick up some useful study tips. 

Hiring Our Heroes – This program, run by the U.S Chamber of Commerce, is all about helping veterans find employment. This initiative is a “nationwide effort to connect veterans, service members, and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities.” If you’re looking for a job, and need a little help, check out this resource first.

Hire Heroes USA – The goal of this nonprofit is to help veterans exceed in their chosen career. They can help you find a job, prepare for the interview, and give you other advice on how to successfully transition into civilian life. Their services are entirely free, and you can access most of them right from your computer or smartphone.

Other Resources

Women Veteran’s Support from the NVF – Women returning from deployment have different needs than the men. If you’re a woman, you may want to turn to this resource for any help you need. These resources, provided by the National Veterans Foundation, focus on things like education, housing, community, and careers.

So Say We All – Finally, perhaps you’re looking for a creative outlet to help process your time in the military. If so, check out So Say We All. This non-profit focuses on helping people to tell their stories, and to tell them well. They even have an entire program dedicated to helping veterans.

Use the Resources Available to You

There’s no shame in need some extra help. Whether you’re a veteran returning from deployment, or a family member, there are resources out there designed to help you transition into your new life. Whatever issue you may have, there is likely a resource designed to help you – you just need to look for it. The above resources are a great place to start and should help you to transition into civilian life as quickly and easily as possible. So, take some time to explore the resources available to you, and before long you should be well on your way to a happy and productive post-military life.