Veterans given help managing time, stress
By Kimberly Malkawi, News Writing Student
OCCC veterans are about to see positive changes to the services provided at the college including information about time management and handling stress, said Janis Armstrong, Student Aid Programs and Services coordinator. The changes will especially impact veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, she said.
The Veterans Services department, located in the Main Building, is implementing changes that will assist veterans who are challenged with returning to civilian style lives, Armstrong said.
One focus is giving veterans information about emotional health and integrating back in to society at a time when they are ready to hear it, said Financial Aid Adviser and retired veteran C.W. West.
“When soldiers come home from overseas, they go through a quick debriefing, usually a few hours, and are given a tremendous amount of information,” West said.
He said soldiers don’t retain all this information.
Drew Stanley, a veteran student, said he had a similar experience.
“I was given a lot of information regarding VA benefits, educational benefits and counseling but just handed it to my relatives,” Stanley said.
Veteran students will be able to visit with staff at Veteran Services and receive information about where to receive help with post-traumatic stress syndrome, anger and other issues, Armstrong said.
However, Armstrong said, no one in her office would be able to make assessments about a veteran’s mental health since they are not qualified.
Staff members will be able to refer the veteran to the Department of Student Support Services in the Main Building.
“It is up to the veteran to want the help,” Armstrong said.
Veteran Services also will provide students with brochures and information as well as recommendations to different facilities and agencies that will offer the proper professional help.
Armstrong said non-veterans do not often consider the many issues facing a vet when returning home, such as mowing the lawn and taking care of household finances.
Reassuming these chores can have some impact on the balance of authority at home. This can be an issue and can be resolved with professional assistance, Armstrong said.
Change of pace can also be a problem when a veteran is used to a different time schedule to complete things, and then begins school and work full time, Armstrong said.
“A veteran may come home with a disability and need to learn to adjust. The resources that Veteran Services will have will help in these areas.”
Armstrong said the college is dedicated to keeping these determined and focused veterans successful and keep their grade point averages high.
“Some vets,” West said, “may have had an A/B average prior to deployment and coming home may see that their grades have dropped to a B/C; This is when a vet may want to turn to Veteran Services to enlist the aid of this office.”
