TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Area has a large veteran population and with those big numbers sometimes come big problems.
A workshop was held Thursday morning that focused on how to help veterans with the issues they may face when transitioning back into civilian life.
Inside the Victor Crist Community Center, dozens of veterans and community leaders attended to discuss veteran-related struggles.
“For the folks who have deployed, whether it’s like me and a couple of months, or it’s been a couple of years, it’s hard stepping back. It’s like a whole different world, a whole different system of living,” said Davida Franklin.
Davida Franklin served in the Army Reserves for 8 years; she said the biggest struggle after getting out is finding that sense of peace and becoming whole again.
“I think that mental health, that emotional and spiritual care, is important to address primarily, housing and employment can come too, and after that, but first you have to address the person themselves,” she said.
According to the National Veterans Homeless Support, veterans who have been deployed have a higher chance of having mental health issues over civilians. They also state that 1 in 5 veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars suffer from major depression or PTSD.
During the multiple panels held at the University Area CDC’s Quarterly Partners Coalition, Franklin’s takeaway was that there are several resources available, one of them being the University Area CDC.
“Specifically health and wellness resources specific to mental health and kind of the holistic aspects of coping with stress and integrating back into the community,” said Erica Moody, Chief Community Development Officer.
Ty Neil is another veteran who participated in Thursday’s event.
“I got out in October, so I’m about one year into that transition and it’s been, it’s very tough,” he said.
Neil served in the U.S. Army for a decade and believes life outside the military is very different.
“They equipped you every step of the way through schools, through leadership course, through mentors, like a Platoon Sergeant or a Platoon Leader, Commander, First Sergeant. So, when you do transition, you are starting from zero,” Neil said.
He said you cannot always roll the skills learned in the military into civilian life. He said after getting out, you often need to start all over again.
“When you’re out there on your own, everything is on your shoulders now. Insurance that you now have to account for, for myself is about 900 dollars a month, housing, which is a new struggle,” Neil said.
“Rehab to Restore Hope for Veterans Housing Program, which is our acquisition rehab rental program in partnership with HUD-VASH to get residents in these beautiful duplexes,” Moody said.
The Florida Department of Veteran Affairs said homelessness amongst veterans has been cut by around 70% since 2010, but there are still thousands experiencing homelessness in the state.
Helping veterans get stable housing and work opportunities is a huge focus for the University Area CDC.
“We have so many different programs and resources from case management, health and wellness, workforce. So, not only can we help them through a housing avenue, but then plug them into our wrap around services,” Moody said.
Neil said it is hard for veterans to always find jobs, so he dedicates his civilian career to helping veterans find work, through Team American Freedom.
“We help them with the skills and services that they will need to grow,” he said.
Here is a list of resources available to veterans in the Tampa Bay Area:
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