Charlotte Bridge Home helps veterans successfully transition to civilian life after military service. Charlotte is currently home to more than 55,000 veterans, including more than 6,000 who have come to our region in just the last few years. And more are on the way.
Under the leadership of Charlotte Bridge Home, I have the great honor of serving on a Health and Mental Well-Being Strategy Group that includes many of our region’s major providers and advocates supporting veterans. Through groundbreaking research recently commissioned by Foundation For The Carolinas, our Strategy Group is learning about many of the health care challenges our war heroes face when they exit the military and return to civilian life.
Our Strategy Group’s charge is to work together as a community of providers and advocates to create solutions that will improve the health and mental well-being of all veterans who choose to call the Charlotte region home.
Studies estimate up to 40% of returning veterans have Post-Traumatic Stress and/or a Traumatic Brain Injury. These illnesses result in memory loss, sleep disturbance, lack of concentration, anger management, and increase the risk of substance abuse. Less than 50% of returning veterans access Veterans Affairs (VA) for medical care.
Mark your calendars: Charlotte Bridge Home is hosting a Veterans Community Summit on March 19, 2013. At this summit our Health and Mental Well-Being Strategy Group will join with similar strategy groups addressing employment and housing needs. We will suggest specific actions our community should embrace in order to best support the health and mental wellness of veterans and their families.
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