Veterans Social Work

One important population that we address in our practice as social workers is veterans. The physical and emotional/mental health needs of the veteran population in the United States are often complex and significant. In the year 2014, an average of twenty veterans died by suicide each day (Office of Suicide Prevention, 2016, p. 4). A University of Southern California Social Work study found that veterans are more likely to take their own life when they feel as if they have become socially isolated with “little to no meaningful personal connections” (Bustamante, 2014). Considering isolation is one symptom that a large number of veterans face today, it is important to have programs that help to connect veterans with their communities. At SUNY

By having students engage in an activity that will be a positive addition to someone they do not know’s life, the value of service is certainly apparent. A second social work value that was incorporated in this activity is “dignity and worth of the person” (NASW, 2015, p. 5). The message of each of the 150 cards that were given to the veterans was one of gratitude. Not only do these cards show community validation of the sacrifices made by veterans, but they are also acknowledging the individual in a holistic way, further emphasizing the dignity and worth of the person who is receiving the

Whether a social worker sees clients in a mental health, aging, addiction, hospital, family etc. setting, they will most likely have at least one client who is a veteran and may be experiencing a situation, such as a disconnection from external social supports. This kind of event is a great first step for individuals and clinicians in becoming more aware of the fact that the social situation of veterans needs to be addressed in greater detail and advocated for. Considering veterans are apparent in most, if not all of the fields of social work, this is an extremely important population to consider in the practice of a social