280: How to Support Veterans in Your Workplace, with Eugenia Weiss

Eugenia Weiss: Military and Veteran Transitions

Eugenia Weiss is a clinical associate professor at the University of Southern California’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. She is the co-author of the book The Civilian Lives of U.S. Veterans: Issues and Identities* and Supporting Veterans in Higher Education: A Primer for Administrators, Faculty, and, Advisors*.

Key Points

• Military and civilian cultures are very separate, and sometimes it’s difficult to transition back into civilian life.

• Most veterans with combat experience won’t have PTSD, it’s about 15%-30% that do. The effects of PTSD vary from person to person.

• In the past, service members typically had several weeks of transport time between combat roles and home, now it’s only a couple of days. This doesn’t allow them much time to process their experiences.

• Don’t be afraid to engage with veterans and talk about their experiences, just do it with care and concern. Most veterans do want to talk about their experiences.

• Volunteering for a veteran’s group can be very rewarding both for you and for the veterans you’re helping.

Resources Mentioned

PsychArmor Institute Corporate Gray: Connecting Employers with Veterans Nationwide Student Veterans of America Career One Stop Veterans Upward Bound Program • (college transition)

My Next Move for Veterans Corporation for National and Community Service • (veterans section)

Vet Success Wounded Warrior Project Veterans for America Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Give an Hour Foundation • (free counseling)

The Soldiers Project • (free counseling)

Cohen Veterans Network • (free counseling and resources now based at USC)

Team Rubicon • (vets volunteer disaster work)

Mission Continues • (volunteer work)

U.S. Veterans Initiative • (housing and services)

Pegasus Rising • (Equine therapy for vets with PTSD)

The Civilian Lives of U.S. Veterans: Issues and Identities • * by Louis Hicks, Eugenia L. Weiss, and Jose E. Coll

Supporting Veterans in Higher Education: A Primer for Administrators, Faculty and Academic Advisors • * by Jose E. Coll and Eugenia L. Weiss

Handbook of Military Social Work • * by Allen Rubin, Eugenia L. Weiss, and Jose E. Coll

A Civilian Counselor’s Primer to Counseling Veterans • * by Jose E. Coll, Eugenia L. Weiss, and Herbert A. Exum

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