A significant issue affecting veterans is homelessness. Veterans experiencing sheltered homelessness often reside in emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or other supportive settings.
Conversely, veterans facing unsheltered homelessness live in places not intended for human habitation, such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the streets. The experience of homelessness itself presents numerous challenges.
Now, more than ever, it is important for us to come together as communities to celebrate humanity, compassion and understanding, and to exercise the power we all have to make a difference.
We know you can reach out to many others, but we are asking you to help us to help others. Veterans have disproportionate rates of mental illness, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse disorders, depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma.
Nearly 50% of combat veterans from Iraq report that they have suffered from PTSD, and close to 40% of these same veteran’s report “problem alcohol use”; in addition, according to estimates from 2010, approximately 22 veterans died as a result of suicide each day in that calendar year.
Studies indicate that 56% to 87% of service members experiencing psychological distress after deployment report that they did not receive psychological help. Veterans face three primary problems as they attempt to access care (including care for mental health conditions)
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Deskan provides items to over 2,000 families and 40 veteranS who may struggle to afford a turkey, chicken, or ham, as well as warm clothing, coats, and blankets during the winter months.
