The Disgrace of Veteran Homelessness

The military has played an important role in protecting and developing the interests of the United States around the world. From the establishment of the revolutionary war in America to the establishment of the United States as one of the world's superpowers, and in the present terrorist war, the military has helped and protect the interests of the world all over the world. . In all these wars American soldiers are proud to serve their country. Because of these wars, the United States is known worldwide for its military strength and freedom of protection in the world.

The most powerful army. But even in the United States, it is becoming a victim of social illness that plagues every society, and that citizen is a homeless victim of social illness. According to the report, actual figures may be much larger (homeless alliance), but 23% of homeless people are shameful veterans. These soldiers are dedicated to their own country and more than 500,000 people are experiencing homeless each year (National Homeless Alliance). In the world's largest country, this is a shameful fact.

When the army returned from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the face of the veteran's homeless changed: The homeless veterans became younger and more women and heads of householders. Still, the homeless veteran is most likely to be a male aged between 51 and 61 (43%) and is serving in the Vietnam War and is expected to become homeless for the next 10 to 15 years. Veterans who are 55 years of age or older may increase significantly. Veterans are more likely to experience homeless than civilians. As with average homelessness, homeless risk increases significantly if there is a veteran's socio-economic status, a history of mental illness and / or substance abuse. However, due to veterans' military duties, this population is at higher risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both of which are the most important risk for homelessness It is considered. One of the factors.

In 2016, about 39,500 veterans experienced homeless overnight, but in 2009 it surpassed 75,000. Many veterans who are at risk of homeless or homeless live in the aftermath of posttraumatic stress disorder. For many people their situation is made more complicated by the substances they use together. Mental disorders and drug use disorders are recognized as a powerful risk factor for veterans to become homeless. Meeting people geographically, philosophically, and emotionally is a fundamental element of experiencing effective volunteer activities of homeless people, a starting point for them to participate in treatment and services. The outreach workers nationwide do not expect people to receive services themselves, they expect to bring services to where people are. These outreach workers are usually the first and only contacts of those who may be disconnected.