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Veterans and Military Services

Counseling Services

We know the transition from military life to college life can be challenging. There are many differences between the two such as lack of structure, lack of camaraderie, lack of a peer group, and a variety of different values just to name a few. Nonetheless, these transitions can be successfully managed.

Resources

Below we have listed some resources that might be of assistance if you are struggling with this transition to campus life:

  • Homecoming - A brochure that identifies common challenges with the transition to civilian life and suggests strategies for managing these.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - Information from the VA on how to manage combat stress.

Please see the Student Counseling Services webpage for a complete list of detailed services and resources available for Veterans. Student Counseling staff is familiar with many of the challenges Veterans face and are ready to serve you. Please contact their office direct at (309) 438-3655 if you need assistance with career issues, family issues, or other transition problems.

Suicide Prevention

Illinois State University is committed to preventing Veteran suicide. We are working closely with the VA to support 20 million Veterans nationwide. Approximately half of our Veterans use VA care or services. Partners like Illinois State University play an important role in helping reach Veterans outside VA care.

Veterans (and those who know Veterans) who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide should contact the Veterans Crisis Line. The Veterans Crisis Line can be reached either by calling 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. Confidential crisis intervention and support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Please watch the VA’s video, VA’s Public Health Approach to Suicide Prevention, to learn how we are working together through a comprehensive public health approach to achieve our shared goal of preventing Veteran suicide. Preventing Veteran suicide is an enormous, complex challenge — one that will only be solved through a collaborative approach that brings together different sectors. We encourage you to share this video with colleagues, peers, clinicians, family members, and friends to spread the word about working together on this important issue.

Reporters covering Veteran mental health issues are strongly encouraged to visit ReportingOnSuicide.org for important guidance on how to communicate about suicide.