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Joining the military is a big step in a person’s life. What is going to happen? Where would they be posted? What would they be trained to perform? Where and when would they be deployed? Part of that learning curve while starting a new life in a new place is understanding how military pay works. While many are familiar with it, there are changes from time to time that may upset the familiar routine and pay level. Recently, in 2021, reserve and active-duty personnel received a 3 percent pay raise. There are more benefits offered to military personnel, such as reduced-cost or free housing, paid v ..read more

It started as an idea to reduce Veteran suicides. It became “Mission Daybreak” with $20 million to various organizations developing innovative ways to reduce the number of suicides among Veterans. For further information about this program, visit HERE. Once the challenge was created and announced, over 1,300 submissions were received from universities, community-based organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, and many Veterans themselves. Choosing winners proved to be a challenging process, but ultimately 10 were chosen. The solutions outlined in the winner’s submissions included: Suicide ..read more

The Department of Veterans Affairs plans to fund research into the use of psychedelic substances to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Veterans. The announcement reflects a growing interest in exploring alternative therapies for former service members suffering from mental health conditions. It comes amid a shifting perspective on substances that were commonly linked to illicit use in party culture, marking the first time the department has initiated such research in decades. A growing body of research has brought attention to the potential effectiveness of MDMA ..read more

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a severe mental health condition that many veterans suffer from after experiencing traumatic events during their military service. This debilitating condition can deeply affect your quality of life, rendering you nearly incapable of performing regular tasks or maintaining steady employment. Therefore, it is critical that any veteran who is suffering from PTSD receive the appropriate benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs to aid their recovery and provide financial stability. While VA disability benefits are available for PTSD diagnoses, navigating th ..read more

In a move to address the alarming rates of veteran suicides, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) introduced a significant program in January 2023. Under the new policy, eligible veterans in acute suicidal crises can seek free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care center. As the first year of the emergency suicide prevention program concludes, the VA reports that 49,714 veterans have used the service. This translates to over $64 million in saved healthcare costs. The initiative covers a range of services, including emergency room visits, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residen ..read more

As of January 17, 2023, any veteran who struggles with suicidal thoughts and actions can seek emergency services at a VA or non-VA healthcare facility. There is no cost involved. Services received can include inpatient, or crisis residential care for up to thirty days, and up to three months for outpatient care. A veteran does not need to be enrolled in the VA system to access this assistance.  This move to expand healthcare to suicidal veterans means care is now available for roughly nine million vets who are not currently enrolled in the VA. “There are a lot of vets needing help, and th ..read more

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it is an annual campaign to increase understanding and awareness of suicide, its warning signs, and how to get help. Suicide is a major public health problem in the United States. Each year, suicide kills more people than homicide. It is especially high among certain groups, such as Veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with mental health conditions. There are many ways to get involved in the month of September. You can learn the warning signs of suicide, how to talk to someone who may be considering it, and where to find prevention ..read more

Veterans experiencing the effects of inflation are likely to see some relief in 2023 with a potential record increase in VA Disability Benefits. According to recent projections by The Senior Citizens League (the nation’s largest nonpartisan senior citizen group), the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will likely be around 8.7%. What Is the Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)? Every fiscal year, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sets an annual increase in benefits called a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). This adjustment is based on the rise in cost-of-living as measured by the Consume ..read more

People may know nightmares by the technical name parasomnia. Parasomnia includes sleep paralysis, sleepwalking, and nightmares. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 60% of veterans suffer from trauma-related nightmares, and 31% suffer from nightmares. Nightmares occur during the resting, waking, or falling asleep state. Although there are several periods when nightmares may occur, they often happen during the REM (rapid eye movement) cycle that also involves faster breathing, increased heart rate, and brain activity. According to recent studies, nightmares are caused by medicat ..read more