Lives Changed.
Employment
A key component of a successful transition for both men and women is the ability to find a stable, satisfying job. While the unemployment rate for all veterans has been lower than that of non-veterans in recent years, unemployment for post-9/11 veterans has been persistently high. This trend is most pronounced in female veterans who faced a jobless rate of 12.5 percent in 2012. This was higher than the peak for all non-veterans (9.4 percent in 2010) and male veterans (12.0 percent in 2011). However, in 2015 the rate for post 9/11 veterans dropped to 6.4 percent in females and 5.7 percent in males.
Veterans often experience long delays in obtaining civilian employment even when they have transferable skills gained through military education, training and experience. For many veterans, the search for civilian employment marks the first time they have prepared a resume or participated in an interview. This is particularly true for female veterans who, according to the 2015 Veteran Talent Index, may not feel as confident as their male counterparts in their skills and ability to find a job. Other factors such as marital status, education level, motherhood and health problems may also play a role.
Housing
Female veterans are the fastest growing segment of the homeless veteran population. While the exact number of homeless female veterans is unknown, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires an annual count of homeless people in communities across the country known as the Point-in-Time Count. On a single night in January 2014, volunteers identified 4,722 female veterans representing 10 percent of the total homeless veteran population. The number of homeless female veterans has more than tripled since 2006 when 1,380 women were counted.
Overall, female veterans are up to four times more likely to become homeless than women who are not veterans. Five experiences have been identified as pathways to homelessness among female veterans. These include childhood adversity; trauma or substance abuse in military service; post-military abuse and termination of relationships; post-military mental illness or medical issues; and unemployment. These factors, combined with a lack of social support and sense of isolation, can make it more difficult for women to readjust to civilian life.
Health
Many of the women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan experienced unprecedented levels of combat exposure and returned with specific health care needs, such as traumatic brain injury, back pain, migraines, dizziness, respiratory conditions, gastrointestinal issues and other unexplained symptoms. Female veterans also report significant mental health challenges, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse and sleep disorders.
More than 50 percent of women who served post-9/11 have utilized mental health services at VA facilities. The most commonly diagnosed condition is post-traumatic stress, effecting 20 out of 100 women. Some symptoms are more common in women than men. For example, women are more likely to feel jumpy, disconnected, depressed and anxious, while men may feel angry and turn to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism.
Aside from post-traumatic stress, the staggering rate of suicide among female veterans is a major concern. Women in the military commit suicide at nearly six times the rate of other women, according to VA research covering 11 years of data. Rates of female veteran suicide rival those of male veterans, despite the fact that men are generally far more likely than women to take their own life. Suicide has been the second leading cause of death among U.S. servicemembers since 2010.
Providence Family Life Center recognizes the unique challenges that Women veterans and their families face. Stay tuned for announcements on upcoming programs and networking events.
References
National Conference of State Legislatures - Women's Legislative Network 2017
Women Veterans - Unique Challenges
Women have served their country through all periods of U.S. history, whether disguised as male soldiers during the American Revolution, as nurses in World War II, or as helicopter pilots in Afghanistan. Yet too often, the contributions of women in uniform have been overlooked, even by the women themselves.
The challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life affect women differently than men, and many states and communities are exploring ways to help this small, but growing population of returning service members.
The transition from military to civilian life varies for each female veteran just as it does for male veterans. Though many women reintegrate with ease, others may struggle either initially or months down the road. Challenges may be related to employment, housing, health and mental health, education and other factors.
