Resources for Arkansas Veterans

Living as a veteran in the United States poses a variety of unique challenges. For example, veterans have high levels of homelessness, mental health problems and physical concerns. Veterans may also struggle with limited financial resources, making it difficult to respond to these problems on their own. Fortunately, with support and assistance, many veterans are able to improve their quality of life and face the challenges that impact them negatively. The state of Arkansas offers a wide variety of benefits, services and assistance to veterans. Below are some of the most useful programs available in the state.

American Legion

The American Legion is an organization dedicated to providing for wartime veterans across the United States. This organization has been in operation since 1919 and exists to provide a wide variety of benefits to qualifying veterans. Some of the American Legion locations in the state of Arkansas are listed below.

Anger Management

After spending time in the military, many individuals develop problems with anger and rage. Anger management services exist to help these individuals learn to cope with their anger and express it in healthy ways. Arkansas is home to a number of organizations that provide anger management services.

Benefits

Veterans throughout the state of Arkansas have access to a variety of benefits to help them be healthy and productive live their best quality of life. These benefits range from extra compensation to mortgage assistance. Below is a list of some of the organizations that provide benefits to veterans in Arkansas.

Counseling

Because of the time they spent in the armed services, veterans deal with a wide variety of mental health problems, from depression to PTSD. Counseling is one of several treatment options available for mental health issues. It can help veterans to work through these problems by talking with a compassionate, understanding professional.

Disability Compensation

Depending on their circumstances and history, some veterans may qualify for disability compensation. This type of compensation is typically available to replace loss income for veterans struggling with a disability or disease caused by their time in the armed services. Below are some of the organizations that assist veterans seeking disability compensation in Arkansas.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Far too many veterans struggle with drug and alcohol abuse. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that more than 7 percent of veterans currently meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder. When dealing with this type of disorder, veterans need to seek professional treatment in order to recover.

Education

Having a good quality education allows veterans to pursue better employment and enjoy a better overall quality of life. However, education can be expensive and difficult to obtain without help. Fortunately, a number of organizations in Arkansas provide a wide variety of educational resources and assistance to veterans and their families throughout the state.

Employment Services

Many veterans choose to hold jobs after leaving the military. Being employed not only provides veterans with an income, but it can also improve self-esteem. However, it is sometimes difficult for veterans to find appropriate, good-paying jobs. Below are some programs in Arkansas that help to match veterans with open positions.

Food Delivery

In some cases, veterans become bound to their homes because of their age or disability and they are unable to go to the grocery store and/or cook meals on their own. Food delivery services exist to make sure that these individuals are able to get the nutritional meals they need when they cannot handle this task on their own.

Homeless Shelter

Homeless veterans on the streets in Arkansas face a variety of risks and challenges. One of the most serious problems facing these veterans is the lack of shelter. Fortunately, veterans in the state of Arkansas have access to several homeless shelters that can provide safety from the elements on a temporary basis.

Housing

Veterans often have trouble finding safe, affordable housing after leaving the military, especially if they are living on limited means. In some cases, this even leads veterans to become homeless. Fortunately, a number of organizations in the state of Arkansas exist to help veterans find suitable housing at a price they can afford.

Hospitals

Like all people, veterans sometimes need to receive treatment in the hospital. Finding a good quality hospital ensures that the veteran gets the care he or she needs and is able to recover quickly. A number of hospitals that serve veterans are conveniently located throughout the state of Arkansas. Some of these hospitals and their locations are listed below.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by veterans across the country. For example, studies have shown that this condition may affect as many as one in three veterans who fought in Vietnam. PTSD is a pervasive disorder that requires professional treatment.

Religious Charities

Religious charities exist to collect money or other goods and distribute them to people in need. Many of these charities focus on specific populations, such as veterans, while others distribute goods and services to anyone in need. Some of the religious charities that serve veterans in Arkansas are listed below.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a large Christian organization that sponsors a variety of outreach programs to spread the Gospel and help those in need, many of which are beneficial to veterans. This organization has convenient locations all across the state of Arkansas. The Salvation Army’s locations in this state are listed below.

Suicide Hotline

Because of the high level of depression, anxiety, PTSD and other mental illnesses among veterans in the United States, suicide is always a concern. Suicide hotlines provide veterans with a safety net in the event of suicidal thoughts or intentions. Several of these hotlines are available to veterans throughout the state of Arkansas.

Therapy

Because of physical limitations or conditions, many veterans require different forms of therapy. Physical therapy can help veterans to overcome certain symptoms, such as pain, as well as to improve their overall functioning. Below are some of the facilities in the state of Arkansas that offer physical therapy to veterans.

Vet to Vet Services

When an individual is part of the military, he or she will face a variety of issues and challenges that don’t apply to other people, especially if the individual was involved in combat. Vet to vet organizations exist to provide veterans with opportunities to connect with one another and to help one another. Some of the vet to vet organizations in Arkansas are listed below.