Student Veterans
The Counseling Center welcomes student Veterans attending Caldwell University to use our counseling services. Members of our staff understand issues and transitions you might be experiencing as a result of being deployed and attending the College. If our staff can’t provide appropriate services, we will refer you to personnel or support services within the College or in the surrounding community.
Talking to someone in the Counseling Center may be beneficial if you are experiencing personal concerns such as depression, anxiety or panic, flashbacks or frequent nightmares, grief, alcohol and drug abuse, relationship issues or any other area of personal concern for you.
The Counseling Center staff can also assist you in working on issues that might be impacting your academic performance such as procrastination, time management, perfectionism, and difficulty focusing.
We encourage you to consider contacting the Counseling Center for free and confidential support. We believe that talking to someone about your concerns is not a sign of weakness, but is an indication of your strength and determination to tackle areas of personal difficulty.
COUNSELING RESOURCES FOR VETERANS
Caldwell University (www.caldwell.edu/military) participates in the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and is a Veterans Certifying Official to assist Veterans with their Veterans Benefits. For further information regarding the services Caldwell University offers to Veterans and active-duty Service Members, link onto this site.
Give An Hour offers free therapy sessions to soldiers and family. Providers are licensed mental health professionals who donate hours per week to provide counseling services to Give An Hour clients free of charge. Give An Hour lists providers available for support and counseling on their website. http://giveanhour.org/
Military One Source offers free and reduced-priced counseling or resource referrals for soldiers and their families. Soldiers and family members may call toll-free anytime at 1-800-342-9647 to receive help with deployment or adjustment issues including childcare. www.militaryonesource.mil
National Suicide Prevention Helpline is there for you if you are feeling desperate, alone or hopeless. Are you a veteran in emotional distress? Please call 1-800-273-8255 and press “1” to be routed to the Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline, which is a free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call will be routed to the nearest crisis center https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/help-yourself/veterans/
(The) National Veterans Foundation maintains a national crisis and assistance line for and staffed by veterans. The phone line is open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and can be reached by dialing the national toll-free crisis management, information and referral lifeline for veterans and families at 1-888-777-4443. www.nvf.org
New Jersey Department of Veterans Affairs assists families in learning about benefits and how to access them. They will help you plan for when your spouse or family member is away performing military service. 1-888-859-0352 www.state.nj.us/military
Vet Centers Through United States Department of Veterans Affairs provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to all veterans who served in any combat zone. Services are also available for their family members for military-related issues. All services are free of charge. The Vet Centers are staffed by small multi-disciplinary teams of dedicated providers, many of whom are combat veterans themselves. Services include individual and group counseling, marital and family counseling for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or help with any other military-related issue that affects functioning within the family, work, school or other areas of everyday life. Other services include outreach, education, medical referrals, homeless veteran services, employment, VA benefit referral, and the brokering of non-VA services. Vet Center staff is available toll-free during normal business hours at 1-800-905-4675. https://www.vetcenter.va.gov and https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov
NJ Vet 2 Vet (1-866-VETS-NJ-4; 1-866-838-7654) is a free, confidential helpline staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call, you speak to a Veteran peer, a Veteran volunteer, or a professional counselor who understands the challenges connected with returning to civilian life.
Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ)
BIANJ is a non-profit with the mission to improve the quality of life for anyone impacted by brain injury by providing support, advocacy, and information, while promoting brain injury prevention. Research shows that there is a significant prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among veterans.
BIANJ is a resource providing the following FREE services:
- Care management services for adults with brain injury
- Support groups for adults with brain injury, as well as family/caregiver support groups (provided virtually, in-person, and hybrid)
- Free resource materials on topics such as brain injury & mental health and substance use, brain injury prevention, and more
- Information and Resources Helpline (bilingual)
- Presentations to families or service providers
- Resource tables at community fairs