The city is working to make sure veterans returning from the war receive the assistance they need to adjust to civilian life.
Health care, employment and education opportunities, financial assistance and support groups are just a few things available.
The most common injuries in returning veterans are back, knee and hip injuries due to the 80-pound outfit they are required to wear, hearing problems and traumatic brain injury. But one of the most concerning is post traumatic stress disorder because only half of the soldiers who have it seek help. That is troubling because the disorder is a leading factor in the increased suicide rate among soldiers.
Edward Flynn, communications manager for the Massachusetts Department of Veteran Services, said 20 percent of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan — about 300,000 men and women — report symptoms of the disorder, or major depression.
Concern about the high suicide rate prompted a new team to prevent it.
"In this war, most soldiers have multiple deployments and with each new exposure the odds of having PTSD increase, which in turn puts them at a higher risk for suicide," said Samuel Hamm, a Navy veteran and member of the Statewide Advocacy for Veteran's Empowerment team, whose primary function is suicide prevention.
Haverhill Director of Veterans Services Michael Ingham is here to help all veterans navigate the services available to them. Ingham recently partnered with Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce to offer a V-E-T-S Educational Stand-Down on April 23. Specialists were there to connect with returning and active duty service members.
The event also provided a place for veterans to connect with organizations that provide health care services including hospital, outpatient medical and prosthetic services, specialized heath care for women veterans, health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans, readjustment counseling and alcohol and drug dependency treatment.
Ingham also points veterans to the Veterans Administration, which provides free medical care for veterans who served in combat. The free care continues for two years following their release from active duty as long as it is for an illness associated with their service during a period of hostility.
Veterans can also receive federal compensation if they are injured in the war. The amount of money depends on how the injury occurred, which facility treated them and how it's affecting their lives, said Ingham.
Not enough veterans take advantage of what the Veterans Administration offers.
"Unfortunately, a lot of veterans think there's nothing wrong with them or that they are taking services away from other veterans so they don't go. The more people that take advantage of what's being offered, the better the programs will get," Ingham said.
In Haverhill, Valley Works Career Center helps unemployed veterans find jobs. Representatives advocate for veterans in the workplace, help them with resumes and use workshops to teach them how to present themselves in an interview.
"We have a team that goes to employers. We let them know what veterans have to offer and the unique skills they possess," said Eric Nelson, a local veteran employment representative who retired a year ago after serving in the military for 24 years.
The chamber teamed up with Helmets to Hardhats, a national program that connects National Guard, Reserve and transitioning active-duty military with career training and employment in the construction industry, including administration, engineering and management.
"Never before have we activated so many reserves for such a long period of time. They left full-time jobs and their professions. We need to do our best to make sure they have a place to return to," said Haverhill Chamber of Commerce President James P. Jajuga.
One reason many join the service is to get an education, so Northern Essex Community College now accepts military credits for its programs.
"The college's online courses are great for service members. They've really stepped up and are doing great things with and for veterans," Ingham said.
Support groups for families of deployed service members are available at the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center on Cedar Street. The Red Cross also offers support. If there is a family emergency and a loved one overseas needs to be contacted, the Red Cross can notify the unit.
"Nothing can be done until you go through the Red Cross. (Red Cross) can also contact a service member if the family is worried and hasn't heard from their loved one in a few weeks," Ingham said.
Windrush Farm in Boxford, which offers therapeutic horseback riding for people with physical and mental challenges, offers veterans suffering from PTSD and other physical or mental ailments a welcome distraction from the world around them through its Horses for Heroes program.
"There's plenty of support available. It's up to the veterans to take advantage. They have to pick up the phone," Ingham said.
"One concern as a chamber member and as a citizen of this country is that we have to provide for the men and women returning home from the war. It would be a tragedy if we weren't prepared. We need to get ready to accept them back and give them the assistance they need to settle back into their lives," said Jajuga.
