Consequently, due to these unique challenges and strengths faced by the young veteran population, the veteran population encompasses unique needs. The need for mental health care is higher in the veteran population than the average civilian due to situational exposure (Institute of Medicine, 2013). In a search for young veteran needs, one of the first things that will come up within the search is access to behavioral and mental health care. This increased need for access is because young veterans experience mental health disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and traumatic brain injuries at a higher rate when compared to the average young adult civilian (Olenick et al., 2015). The young veteran population also experiences a higher suicide
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In viewing development through the life-span perspective, development does not happen in one instance or some years but through the entire life-span of an individual’s life (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013). Therefore, young veteran development must be viewed in this light since they are exposed to many different situational and environmental factors during their lifespan. With that said, young veterans have a unique developmental process that needs consideration. Since development is influenced by many different aspects, including culture, veterans may develop differently than their civilian peers. They become adjusted to a significant amount of rigor and structure in everyday life. In the stages of young adulthood, they are expected to be on par with those in adulthood, living on their own and maintaining more responsibility than their average peer. This projection into adulthood can throw them into the early onset of development or may even delay development since many times their minds may not be fully developed to keep up with their environmental circumstances. Thus, considering the unique developmental needs of the young veteran population is essential in a clinical setting since it can aid clinicians in understanding how development impacts the community differently. Young veterans go from civilian life to military life and then back to civilian life again, understanding these changes from a structured military life to a civilian life is essential to understanding their development (Thompson & Bridier,
In viewing development through the life-span perspective, development does not happen in one instance or some years but through the entire life-span of an individual’s life (Ashford & Lecroy, 2013). Therefore, young veteran development must be viewed in this light since they are exposed to many different situational and environmental factors during their lifespan. With that said, young veterans have a unique developmental process that needs consideration. Since development is influenced by many different aspects, including culture, veterans may develop differently than their civilian peers. They become adjusted to a significant amount of rigor and structure in everyday life. In the stages of young adulthood, they are expected to be on par with those in adulthood, living on their own and maintaining more responsibility than their average peer. This projection into adulthood can throw them into the early onset of development or may even delay development since many times their minds may not be fully developed to keep up with their environmental circumstances. Thus, considering the unique developmental needs of the young veteran population is essential in a clinical setting since it can aid clinicians in understanding how development impacts the community differently. Young veterans go from civilian life to military life and then back to civilian life again, understanding these changes from a structured military life to a civilian life is essential to understanding their development (Thompson & Bridier,