Mental Health Needs of
Veteran Students: The
University Responsibility
DR. BILL AYERS, LCSW
In order to meet the mental health needs of veteran students
university personnel working with these students must have an
understanding of the VA.
VA 101
There are 2 VA’s
1)VA Healthcare
2)VA Benefits
Most of your students will be receiving services from both.
VA Healthcare
Eligibility:
◦ Any service member who has a physical or mental condition that is service
connected is entitled to VA Healthcare Benefits. However, accessing these
benefits may be difficult. Generally speaking, healthcare services are provided
in fixed locations that may not be in proximity to the location of the university.
VA Benefits
These are usually in the form of some monetary compensation based on a
percentage of impairment of medical issues.
GI Bill Benefits fall under this component of the bureaucracy and are based on
service.
There are other benefits regarding vocational training which are used in lieu of
GI Bill Benefits
DoD Retirement Benefits
DoD Retirement Benefits are a complex entitlement that does not necessarily involve 20 year
retirement.
Many young veterans are medically retired and receive retirement benefits in addition to VA
Benefits.
What can the university do?
Offer services on campus.
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PTSD support groups
Veteran support groups
Faculty & staff training regarding veteran issues
Develop a liaison with the nearest VA facility
What should the university not do?
Treat these students as any other traditional student
Not assume that services once developed are all that will be needed (constant review required)