Services for Military Personnel from CAPS

Services for Returning Military Personnel
By Jayne Lokken, Ph.D., L.P.
Counseling and Psychological Services
(320) 308-3171
103 Stewart Hall

Welcome to St. Cloud State University, thank you for your service!

Military personnel can return to civilian life with a newfound sense of self confidence and of their own strength. You return with new sets of skills as leaders and as people who set and accomplish your goals. It is possible that you may also return and experience a sense of disconnection from loved ones and perhaps most of us who did not live through life in the military or in a combat zone. Transitions of any kind can be difficult and require more effort than you may expect. Moving from soldier to civilian is one example that comes with challenges, the transition from soldier to student is another. It may feel as though your identity changes with each of these transitions. In the military you may have been responsible for the safety and well being of others. The shift to a student may result in significant changes in your roles and responsibilities. In addition some of you may feel pressure to make up for lost time with children or family.

There may be significant differences in how you are treated and how you treat others, now versus in the military. You may have gone from being in charge there to being the new kid on the block here, having very little contact with those that you have been closest to in the military. It may be difficult to adjust to deadlines and time frames in a university setting. You may feel that your sense of direction and purpose has shifted from when you first thought of college or when you were here before. You may have come back with new priorities and a renewed vision of your purpose in life.

Psychologists are trained to listen and help you make sense of your experience or better understand yourself and your experiences. We can also help you if you are experiencing depression or anxiety, including PTSD. Depending on your individual situation or preferences we may help you or connect you with someone at the VA or in the community. There are many resources available to you and we welcome the opportunity to serve you.

We hear from returning military personnel that the lack of a strong sense of community such as the one you experienced in your unit can be difficult. Your training may have emphasized depending only on yourself and your unit. Now, you do not need to deal with the changes you’re experiencing on your own. The experience of war may have resulted in a sense of disconnection from those of us at home and you may be feeling out of step, wondering if you want to talk about your experiences, how to talk about them, or if people will understand, if so, give us a call.

If you find yourself experiencing any of the following symptoms or would just like to have a trained ear to help you process what you have been through, please give us a call. Remember, we are here to serve you.