Homelessness Among Female Veterans and Their Families

1
Homelessness Among Female Veterans and Their
Families

• Jean Langbein, LCSW
• OEF/OIF Program Manager
• Washington, DC VA Medical Center
• Oct 14, 2009

2
Demographics

• National Demographics
• Gender
• 88 male
• 12 female
• Age 46.6 are under 25 years old

3

• Branch of Service
• Army 65 Air Force 12
• Marine 12 Navy 11
• Multiple Deployments
• 63.8 have been deployed more than once
• Between 155,000 and 180,000 women deployed to
  OEF/OIF
• Women veterans are 2-4 times more likely to be
  homeless than non veterans
• More women are engaging in combat roles

4
Family Issues

• Many veterans are young, newly married, and have
  young children
• Frequently babies are born just before, during,
  or after deployment, creating single parent
  situations for extended periods of time
• For young couples little or no time for a solid
  foundation to be established in the relationship
  prior to deployment
• When veteran returns changes in behavior can
  result in marital/family conflict
• Increased rates of extramarital affairs due to
  long deployments

5
Disrupted Family Life

• 700,000 children have had at least one parent
  deployed
• 50-60 of spouses of brain injured patients
  report having depression
• About 50 of the military have spouses and
  dependent family members
• Noted increase in rate of child abuse and neglect
  in the military since 2002

6
Redeployment Issues

• Veteran may already have symptoms of PTSD or
  other mental disorders
• Family feels stressed and anxious about another
  deployment how will it be the next time
• Families/friends dont understand the excitement
  and urgency some veterans feel about returning to
  war
• Those who return may feel guilt for leaving
  buddies behind and may turn to high risk behavior
  (drugs, alcohol, driving)

7
Assessment

• What have these veterans encountered in combat?
• Questioned detainees or prisoners
  42
• Was physically ambushed or assaulted
  70
• Was shot at 79
• Saw, handled, smelled dead bodies/parts
  59.7
• Was in or witnessed an accident causing
• serious injury or death 72.4
• Cleared/searched homes, buildings,
• caves or bunkers 64.6
• Was sexually assaulted or raped .4
• Knew someone seriously injured or killed 78.2
• Saw dead or seriously injured Americans
  64.2
• Shot at or directed fire at others
  57.1
• Saw innocent victims of war 40.3
• Greiger,et. al (American Journal of Psychiatry)

8
Normal Readjustment Difficulties

• A veteran may miss the excitement of deployment
  and engage in risky behavior
• Children have grown up social events have
  happened
• Roles for other family members changed to manage
  daily living
• Spouse or family may have become more
  independent, developed a different support system
• Veterans priorities and outlook on life may have
  to change
• Where do I go from here?

9
Reintegration Issues

• Within 12 months 20 plan to separate or divorce
• 2007 survey (DoD Task Force of MH)
• 36 reported relationship problems with spouse
  and children
• 27 reported significant depression
• 24 reported alcohol abuse
• 43 reported problems with anger and aggression

10
Treatment Challenges

• Time
• Work/school responsibilities
• Childcare issues
• Communication
• Increased use of email
• Internet resources
• Potential for redeployment
• Benefits of staying numb if going to be
  redeployed
• How to move on with ones life if redeployment is
  looming

11
Seeking Options

• Early Referral
• Connect with Community Partners
• HUD-VASH Program
• Treatment for the family
• Reintegration Program