{"id":21294,"date":"2026-11-06T14:48:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T14:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/?p=21294"},"modified":"2026-11-06T14:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T14:48:00","slug":"a-mental-health-moment-veterans-needing-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/06\/a-mental-health-moment-veterans-needing-veterans\/","title":{"rendered":"A Mental Health Moment: Veterans Needing Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bernadette Joy Graham<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Bernadette Joy Graham, Licensed Professional Clinical Therapist and Active-Duty Air Force Veteran<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Truth Contributor<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

When service members return to Toledo and Northwest Ohio, they often face a challenging transition to civilian life.\u00a0 For Black veterans, especially Black women, this process can be particularly isolating due to systemic barriers, a lack of culturally competent mental health providers and persistent stigma around behavioral health care.\u00a0 Our community must recognize that supporting returning veterans requires more than gratitude; it demands a sustained commitment to their mental and emotional well-being.<\/p>\n

A major issue is the contrast between how we prepare service members for military life and how we prepare them for their return to civilian life. The Department of Defense invests eight to 12 weeks in basic training <\/strong>to transform civilians into soldiers, teaching them to manage stress, follow structure and work as a unit.\u00a0 However, there is little to no structured support for transitioning back to civilian life.\u00a0 Veterans are expected to quickly abandon the defense mechanisms that sustained them and reintegrate immediately. We dedicate months to preparing them for service but offer almost no guidance for their return.<\/p>\n

This lack of transition support has contributed to a serious public health crisis in our community. The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) reports that<\/strong><\/a> the veteran suicide rate in Ohio is about 80 percent higher than the general population. Nationally, thousands of veterans die by suicide each year, making it the fourth-leading cause of premature death among veterans.<\/p>\n

This crisis is worsened by resource shortages and a significant gap in qualified providers. While the Toledo VA Clinic<\/strong><\/a> and the Toledo Vet Center<\/strong><\/a> offer important services, the broader civilian mental health system remains inadequate.\u00a0 Veterans often encounter long waitlists and administrative barriers.<\/p>\n

Veterans benefit most from licensed mental health professionals who are also veterans. Clinicians without military experience may<\/strong> struggle to fully understand the psychological impact of service.\u00a0 For Black veterans, the challenge is greater, as fewer than five percent of psychologists are Black, making it difficult to find relatable, licensed peer therapists.\u00a0 Effective care occurs when veterans can engage with counselors who understand both military culture and the unique experiences of Black Americans, without needing to explain basic concepts.<\/p>\n

Black veterans face additional challenges. Historical mistrust of medical institutions often leads families to seek support within their communities or rely solely on faith. While faith is important, it should be complemented by professional, culturally competent mental health services.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, grassroots organizations like Task Force 20 advocate for veteran mental wellness through physical fitness, and registries like Star Behavioral Health Providers train civilian therapists in military culture. Locally, Black-owned and women-owned organizations like Evolve Mental Health and Wellness on Heatherdowns Boulevard are addressing trauma and PTSD directly.<\/p>\n

Talking openly about behavioral health at our kitchen tables, in our barber shops and from our pulpits is helpful.\u00a0 Seeking therapy is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of profound courage and the ultimate strategy for survival.<\/p>\n

To honor the sacrifices of Black service members in northwest Ohio, we must create a supportive community.\u00a0 This includes advocating for comprehensive civilian transition programs, encouraging veterans to become licensed clinical providers, and reinforcing the importance of mental health.\u00a0 They fought for freedom; now support veteran peace of mind.\u00a0 This Veterans Day, November 11, take a moment for mental health as a civilian, as a veteran, and as a clinician to remember that freedom is not free, nor is healthcare.\u00a0 Reflect on the cost of sacrifice, which numbers cannot measure.<\/p>\n

To all my fellow Veterans, be well, and keep fighting for the care we all deserve.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bernadette Joy Graham, is an LPCC and Veteran providing individual mental healthcare in the state of Ohio.\u00a0 You may find her profile and seek out information on obtaining an appointment on <\/em><\/strong>www.psychologytoday.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, Better Help and SonderMind online platforms.\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Bernadette Joy Graham, Licensed Professional Clinical Therapist and Active-Duty Air Force Veteran The Truth Contributor When service members return to Toledo and Northwest Ohio, they often face a challenging transition to civilian life.\u00a0 For Black veterans, especially Black women, this process can be particularly isolating due to systemic barriers, a lack of culturally competent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"wf_post_folders":[373],"class_list":["post-21294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21294"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21295,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21294\/revisions\/21295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21294"},{"taxonomy":"wf_post_folders","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.thetruthtoledo.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wf_post_folders?post=21294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}