Due to the University’s recent expansion of its transfer program, veteran student enrollment will likely rise in the next several years. Veterans may have unique mental health needs, and the University is planning new hires.
Victor Schwartz, former Chief Medical Officer at the Jed Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on a higher rate of mental health and suicide prevention, said in an interview with the ‘Prince’ that “services in local communities have eroded to some extent” for veterans, and that “more and more the schools are faced with providing services for them.”
Currently, the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity provides support to veterans and other transfer students on campus. There has been a specific focus on integrating student veterans into the Princeton community. The center helps students enter into the summer academic curriculum and pre-orientation program to “allow veterans and their families to get settled on campus early and connect with support resources,” Keith Shaw, the Director of Transfer, Veteran, and Non-Traditional Student Programs noted. He added that the center works “with the Princeton Student Veterans undergraduate group on co-curricular and social programming to help veterans find community at Princeton.”
For mental health, veterans rely on Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). Calvin R. Chin, Director of CPSat Princeton, commented that all clinicians are carefully “credentialed and vetted” before hiring. “Our clinicians have a range of clinical expertise, including specific expertise in assisting students who have experienced trauma as well as assisting non-traditional students.”
Historically, veterans have sought care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but “those services haven’t kept up with demand,” Schwartz noted, as the number of students being seen by sources outside of the universities and colleges has “continued to go up consistently.”
Justin T. Bronfeld, the University Deputy Registrar of Princeton, coordinates enrollment for veterans and serves as their liaison to the VA.
While there is currently no University coordinator focused specifically on veteran mental health, Shaw said that the center is in the process of hiring personnel before next fall.
Shaw provided further detail about the role of the incoming personnel. “While that hire will not serve a clinical role, it is intended to be an important source of mentorship and support, which we hope will contribute to veteran wellness on campus,” he said.
Schwartz noted that the University’s focus on social integration may be equally important.
Andrew Olivieri GS, current president of the Princeton Graduate Student Veterans Organization, told the ‘Prince’ that he personally hasn’t “used the resources here at Princeton for mental health support.”
“[Veterans] may feel disconnected socially from their context,” Schwartz said, speaking about the needs mental health services must meet for veterans.
“So not just providing mental health care, but providing social services and a social safety net effectively, and recognizing that they have unique concerns and unique needs and may not feel like they fit in, is really important,” Schwartz added.
Simone Kirkevold is a news contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Opening up the ‘Black Box’ of AI Models to Understand the Human Mind with Dr. Leslie and Dr. Lombrozo
Lina Kim, Aanya Kasera, and Senna AldouboshIn this episode of Brains, Black Holes, and Beyond, Aanya Kasera sits down with Dr. Leslie and Dr. Lombrozo, professors and researchers who are part of heading the brand new interdisciplinary research initiative, Natural and Artificial Minds (NAM).
Princeton’s new ‘Latinx Student-Athlete Organization’ aims to foster belonging
Josefina GurevichSince sophomore students established Princeton’s first Latinx Athlete Student Organization, they have worked to build community and support Latinx student athletes campus-wise.
Since sophomore students established Princeton’s first Latinx Athlete Student Organization, they have worked to build community and support Latinx student athletes campus-wise.
Princeton notifies students of potential changes to water taste and color
Christopher Bao and Leela HenslerNew Jersey American Water (NJAW), one of the water providers to the University, warned of potential discoloration and bad taste in water.
New Jersey American Water (NJAW), one of the water providers to the University, warned of potential discoloration and bad taste in water.
