There were approximately 1.4 million active military personnel serving the United States and around 19 million U.S. military veterans as of 2021, according to data compiled by Pew Research Center. This population can face unique challenges, and serving it will require an increasing number of social workers who specialize in military and veterans’ social work.
The scope of this work is very broad. According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), social work services can include guiding people toward tangible services, providing psychotherapeutic and counseling services, and creating or improving social and health services. In a military context, these services are provided to service members in all branches and to veterans from all eras and conflicts, as well as to their family members and loved ones.
Catering to this varied population requires not only a general background in social work, but also specialized knowledge and skills particular to military needs, issues, and regulations. Programs such as a Master’s in Social Work can prepare candidates to conduct social work with veterans and their families in a way that meets their complex needs.
Challenges for Military Families and Veterans
In working with the military community, a social worker’s first duty is to understand and appreciate the challenges facing this group. Blue Star Families, an organization that supports active military personnel and their family members, conducts an annual survey to determine the issues of greatest concern. According to their 2021 survey, top reported problems include:
- Spouse employment: 63% of military spouses reported underemployment. 47% of active-duty spouses stated they would be seeking a new job within the next 12 months.
- Financial issues: 55% of active-duty family members had student loan debt of more than $25,000.
- Relocation issues: 33% of military spouses likely to look for a new job cited relocation as a primary reason. Out-of-pocket relocation costs were a top contributor to financial stress for 29% of those polled.
- Health and mental health concerns: 67% of military-connected families reported difficulties with family relationships. 41% of active-duty military listed the mental health of their adolescent oldest child as “fair, poor, or very poor.” 21% of active-duty family members did not receive mental health care, despite expressing a desire to receive such care. Spouses reported at least one unhealthy relationship behavior within the past year.
The issues that veterans face are different, tending to revolve around returning and adjusting to civilian life. During military service, personnel are supported in many ways, and they become accustomed to that support. When they leave the military, they are left to navigate life on their own.
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, common challenges include:
- Relating to people who do not understand their experiences
- Reconnecting with family and re-establishing their role in the family
- Joining or building a social community
- Preparing to enter the workforce or returning to a job
- Creating life structure, or learning to live in a more flexible manner than allowed in the military
- Adjusting to providing one’s own basic necessities such as clothing, food, and housing
- Adjusting to a different pace of work and life
- Finding and establishing necessary services, such as health care, finances, and insurance
In addition to these everyday issues, veterans can face a host of mental health issues stemming from their time in the service. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common among the veteran population — and these problems can create many others, such as family discord, divorce, social dysfunction, substance abuse, employment difficulty, physical health difficulties, and legal problems. Social workers may be called upon to help with any of these issues.
Helping Military Families and Veterans
Although social workers anywhere may find themselves helping active military personnel and veterans, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is by far the largest organization serving this population. The VA employs more than 15,000 master’s-level social workers to help the military population. These professionals undertake a huge range of interventions, depending on the characteristics and needs of their clients. According to the VA, a partial list of tasks might include:
- Helping obtain financial or housing assistance
- Obtaining help from community agencies
- Helping clients apply for benefits from the VA, Social Security Administration, and other government and community programs
- Assisting with acute or chronic medical conditions
- Providing counseling to ease marriage or family problems, or for life transition issues such as bereavement
- Helping clients move into assisted living facilities, board-and-care homes, or nursing homes
- Addressing problems with drinking or drug use
- Addressing mental health issues such as sadness, depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Talking with clients about everyday stressors
Social Work for Veterans and Military Community Members
Social workers with the VA apply several techniques that are designed to give military families and veterans the best level of care possible. These techniques include:
- Assessment: Social workers meet with veterans and their families to determine their health and support systems, which will help them understand their needs.
- Crisis intervention: Social workers may administer counseling services to veterans during crucial crisis-driven situations. In these cases, they’ll also work with veterans to tend to their longer-term needs.
- High-risk screening: Social workers can invest their skills to work closely with veterans who are homeless, have been repeatedly admitted to the hospital, or are incapacitated.
- Discharge planning: Social workers work closely with veterans who are ready to leave a VA hospital to re-enter their home or the community.
- Case management: When long-term care is required for high-risk veterans, social workers can help guide them toward services for additional support. These high-risk scenarios can include vets with drug and alcohol problems, emotional issues, family challenges, or those who are adjusting to a disability or coping with a terminal illness.
- Advocacy: Social workers can guide veterans through the complexities of obtaining services by speaking and advocating on their behalf.
- Education: Social workers can teach veterans and their families about potentially available services.
In addition, clinical social workers may administer psychotherapeutic treatment to veterans and their families. This can take the form of individual, group, or family therapy, and can be used to address specific emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.
A Career Helping Those Who Have Served
Whether they are active-duty members or veterans, those who choose to serve their country in the U.S. military are an important part of the American populace. They may also face unique issues that make day-to-day living challenging. Social workers can help these individuals access the services they need to improve their well-being and thrive in society.
Ohio University’s online Master in Social Work program prepares graduates for careers in social work. The program is designed to address various client populations — including military veterans and their families — in areas that include mental health and trauma counseling, societal readjustment, marriage and family therapy, crisis counseling, and human resources.
Find out how Ohio University can prepare you to make a substantial difference in the lives of others.
Recommended Readings
Issues Facing Rural Social Workers
Social Worker Safety: Tips and Training for Social Workers
What Is Public Assistance? Analyzing Government Help in Times of Need
Sources:
Blue Star Families, 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey
National Association of Social Workers, Practice
Pew Research Center, “The Changing Face of America’s Veteran Population”
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Common Challenges During Re-adjustment to Civilian Life
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VHA Social Work
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, What VA Social Workers Do