Diversity Meets Complexity: Supporting Armed Forces young people to thrive in post-16 education
Commissioned by the SCiP Alliance, with funding from a group of Uni Connect partnerships and the University of Winchester, ‘Diversity Meets Complexity: Supporting Armed Forces Students to Thrive in Post-16 Education’ is the first report to examine the educational experiences of Armed Forces young people aged 16-19 and explores how the post-16 education sector can best support these young people to achieve their potential. The research, which has been led by The Centre for Education and Youth, brings together extensive consultation with leaders, practitioners, academics, and most importantly, young people themselves. The report shows how needs arising from the experience of being from an Armed Forces family combined with systemic barriers to accessing support can disadvantage these young people in post-16 education.
Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care to veterans for mental health conditions, such as depression and substance use disorders. VA data showed that the percentage of student veterans who received mental health care at VA facilities increased from fiscal years 2017 through 2022, and at a higher rate than that of the total veteran population. (See figure.) VA data show student veterans were primarily treated for depression-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety-related disorders. VA officials said younger veterans typically seek mental health care more than older veterans, and most student veterans are younger than age 34. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health conditions for the general population, including for veterans.