SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – On the fifth floor of the 375th Medical Group Clinic resides a team of people dedicated to assisting those who have served in the United States military.
Referred to as the Vet Center, the team there provides an array of services to veterans including counseling, outreach, and referral services to combat veterans and their families. Services may include individual and group counseling in areas such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, alcohol and drug assessment, and suicide prevention referrals.
In addition, Veterans Affairs also has a team there who assist active duty, veterans, and retirees with the VA claims process, and who can help with compensation and pension. It is a free service and this team works as a liaison between the military and VA.
“So many people don’t know that we’re up here, or exactly what we do,” said Daniel Desler, Disabled American Veterans. “A lot of the times it’s a quick face-to-face where we tell them this is where you need to go, this is who you need to contact.”
Desler said that coming in and taking care of yourself is important, but hard for some military veterans.
“As most of us are military or prior military, we were trained to push through and stay fit to fight, so a lot of times people are hesitant … pride gets in the way,” said Desler. “I waited five years before I [sought help], I wish I would have done it right away—it can change your life.”
The Scott Clinic also offers veterans a health coach, Chelsea Jacobson. There’s one-on-one health coaching on Mondays and Fridays or group coaching on Mondays at 9 a.m.
“I help provide veterans a way to find holistic approaches to life,” said Jacobson. “As well as have them feel more empowered to make their own health decisions and to make life style changes.”
In addition, there is also a location in Shiloh that offers more classes including Tai Chi and a six week class that focuses on Mindfulness. The six week class can also be attended at the Belleville YMCA and members who attend that class can use the facility’s resources throughout the six weeks. If interested in the life coaching services provided at Scott, visit www.wellvets.com or contact (314) 289-6583.
For more information regarding resources for veterans, visit www.vetcenter.va.gov or contact Chris Figura at (314) 652-4100 ext. 6856.