Research Paper on Veteran Intervention

Introduction

Each year, thousands of airmen, soldiers and sailors leave their active military duties to reunite with their families across the world. Although the return of the military home is a joyous moment for families to reunite, the experiences may result in long-lasting mental issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The number of PTSD-related suicides and crimes has widely increased in the globe, making the trend a key subject of major healthcare discussions. During the US military expeditions in Iraq between 2001-2010, the suicide rates among young military persons doubled. Such findings motivated further research in psychological counselling to evaluate ways which professionals can help to improve the life of veterans (Currier et al., 2017). Some of the approaches put forward and which this study will focus on are the wellness approach and CBT theory. This research expounds on how the integration of the two approaches can be used to promote the wellbeing of veterans. The study will use group therapy technique which allows the participants to discuss their problems in a safe and supportive environment.

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A wellness model is an innate approach to psychotherapy which focuses on one's overall happiness and contentment in life. The model which was developed by Carol Ryff suggests that hostile working environments such as wars and crimes can adversely affect the wellness of the victims and the people they relate with (Hundt et al., 2014). The wellness approach is an appropriate model to use in group therapy of veterans because it focuses on the major aspects of their lives. The model considers these six factors as the fundamental elements of wellness among individuals; a sense of purpose. self-acceptance, individual growth, autonomy, control over the environment and positive social relationships. People who exhibit a majority of these characters are said to have a high degree of wellness, which shows fulfilment (Carrola & Corbin, 2015).

The wellness approach is an appropriate model to implement in psychological intervention for war veterans. This is a group of people that have been exposed to deadly situations with the ability to undertake legal action in most cases. The loneliness that comes from long periods of separation from their families also negatively impact on their ability to develop positive emotions that promote wellness. Veterans mainly struggle with a distorted sense of belonging after their return home, a factor that decreases their sense of self-worthiness. Such thought processes result in PSTD and suicides due to mental problems and feeling stuck in life. This framework will, therefore, give a conceptual approach to assist in restoring the veterans' desire to live by improving their overall wellness in life (Tomas &Tomas, 2015).

The wellness approach also fits in with the choice of research design (group therapy) to help promote their social wellbeing through people who can relate to their experiences. Soldiers get to share their traumatizing experiences with fellow veterans, and hence it is easy to explain and display their emotions about the same. Such conversations help to improve their sense of belonging and become the foundation for most post-military relationships that the veterans build as civilians. The ability to improve their lives and that of other group members also helps the individuals in mastering the new civilian environment (Hundt et al., 2014). Research also suggests that environmental mastery helps to determine and control emotions, and hence the veterans learn to adjust to a calm and friendly nature. This is a positive indicator for wellness for people who have been in deadly situations because it helps to reduce their aggression and anxiety at the sight of danger. Group psychotherapy combined with the wellness model forms a professional support network as the veterans strive their new civilian lives. Surrounding themselves with people at the same mental wellness level give room for gradual progress without feeling the urge to speed up their recovery (Currier et al., 2017). This research study will also make use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which suggests that human actions are a result of one's feelings and thoughts. CBT-based intervention for returning home heroes will help to improve their thinking patterns to influence their ways of life as civilians. The approach suggests that abnormality develops from a lack of planning and inaccurate information processing in one's mind. These distortions influence one's thoughts and provoke reactions which may be undesirable for the person or others within the given environment. CBT is a suitable technique in creating an intervention for veterans to help distinguish between reality and their own thoughts. Professional counsellors take veteran groups through CBT psychotherapy to help them monitor and change their emotions accordingly to fit in the environment. The model also improves their problem-solving skills thus influencing their daily choices in life (Carrola & Corbin, 2015).

Both the CBT theory and wellness approach fit in the nature of the military culture that most veterans struggle to heal from. The military culture is characterized by a collectivistic approach to life experiences. Use of group therapy in implementing these approaches give the veterans a familiar experience to their previous environment. The culture also builds a worldview construct on time which is enriched through history (Hundt et al., 2014). From the time of recruitment to coming home, the veterans are exposed to historical facts on previous military successes and expeditions. They are encouraged to draw lessons from past mistakes to improve their present conditions, with minimal focus on the future. This approach to life changes the veteran's way of thinking which can keep them stuck on their past and lack of strength to stay hopeful about the future. The use of these models, therefore, gives the veterans an opportunity to change their lifestyles and thought processes to improve the quality of their post-war lives and integration back to the society (Tomas& Tomas, 2015).

The integration of CBT theory and Wellness approach in group therapy of returning home heroes is fundamental to improve the mental wellbeing of the population. An alliance of the two models give the veterans a starting point as they readjust their thoughts and actions to the normal civilian life. The primary goal of the CBT model is to significantly involve the patient in their treatment plan. The approach also encourages clients to focus on their present condition to give an account of their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, thus complementing the wellness model of veteran intervention. Similarly, the wellness approach also discourages the development of negative self-schemas among the war victims and their families. The combination of the two models thus gives an integrated roadmap towards increasing optimism and building of positive emotions among veterans struggling with PSTD and other mental problems (Hundt et al., 2014).

Conclusion

Generally, the research evidence presented shows that the integration of CBT therapy and counselling on wellness can effectively improve the quality of mental interventions among veterans. Professional guidance in group-based forms of counselling is also key in building a sense of belonging and add to their post-war lives. Such interventions will go a long way to improve the veterans' ability to lead a normal and fulfilled civilian life after they have returned home from their active military roles. Various federal and private organizations have established Veteran wellness centres and programs to provide refuge and a starting point to create meaningful lives upon their return to their particular communities.

References

Carrola, P., & Corbin-Burdick, M. F. (2015). Counseling Military Veterans: Advocating for Culturally Competent and Holistic Interventions. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 37(1), 1-14.

Currier, J. M., Stefurak, T., Carroll, T. D., & Shatto, E. H. (2017). Applying Trauma-Informed Care to Community-Based Mental Health Services for Military Veterans. Best Practice in Mental Health, 13(1), 47-64.

Hundt, N. E., Barrera, T. L., Robinson, A., & Cully, J. A. (2014). A systematic review of cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in Veterans. Military Medicine, 179(9), 942-949.

Tomas, J., & Tomas, T. (2015). Mentoring, Coaching, and Counseling. Military Review, 95(4), 50-57.