The 2013 Missouri College Student Veteran Assessment A Presentation of Partners in Prevention

Introduction to Partners in Prevention Partners in Prevention (PIP) is a campus coalition of 21 colleges and universities across Missouri dedicated to promoting health and safety Evaluation Services of PIP: -Missouri College Student Health Behavior Survey (MCHBS) -Missouri College Student Veteran Assessment (MCSVA) SAMSHA Grant: Federal Suicide Prevention Grant for PIP to address two at risk populations, student veterans and LGBTQ Research Briefs

Survey Overview Continued The Missouri College Student Veteran Assessment (MCSVA) was designed to evaluate the engagement, help seeking behaviors and experiences of veterans on Missouri college and university campuses. Implemented in October 2012 on 6 campuses with a 18% response rate. Implemented in October 2013 on 8 campuses with a 18% response rate.

Survey Overview Students were pulled from a registered list of student veterans on each campus All of the approximately 3,000 names were used and surveys sent out to those identified. 533 students responded Final N=438 veterans providing data

Veterans Demographics 68% were previously members of the armed services. 32% are currently members of the armed services. 63% have been deployed to an area of hazardous duty overseas. -10% deployed to hazardous duty within the United States. 83% of respondents were full-time students. Over 4% described themselves as “gay, queer, lesbian, or bisexual.”

Support for Personal Concerns When personal concerns arise, whom do you turn to ON CAMPUS: -40%Friends/Peers -24% Faculty/Professor -18%Vet’s Support Group -18% Campus Vet. Services -15%University Counseling When personal concerns arise, whom do you turn to OFF CAMPUS: -60% Friends/Peers -50%Dating Partner/Spouse -45%Parents -40%Siblings/Extended Family -19%Religious Advisor -29%Veterans Affairs

Stress 20% of veterans describe their stress as “overwhelming or unbearable.” 4 in 5 veterans (82%) reported that academic concerns was the main source of stress, followed by financial concerns (52%)

PTSD and Mental Health Concerns 41% of veterans report anxiety 28% report chronic sleep issues 17% report panic attacks 12% report suicidal thoughts

Sense of Belonging 72% of veterans feel welcomed on campus by faculty and staff, but only 57% feel welcomed on campus by their fellow students. “I see myself as part of the campus community” 39% agree, 32% disagree “I feel that I am a member of the campus” 38% agree, 34% disagree “I feel a sense of belonging to the campus” 31% agree, 36% disagree

Campus Services for Veterans 71% report campus provides social engagement opportunities for veterans 72% say the services and resources provided by meet the needs of veterans Over half (52%) say they are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the services and resources provided by campus for veterans

Veterans Healthcare 42% report a disability (chronic pain 14%, physical health disability 14%, mental health disability 11%) 17% report accessing services from the Office of Disability Services on campus 39% are currently seeking care at the VA hospital 28% report the VA being more than 30 more than miles away OR not close enough to access care. 64% reported they were most likely to utilize off campus veterans services

Veterans and Substance Abuse 73% of veterans reported drinking in the past month, 90% past year. Binge drinking rate for the past two weeks is 30% 10% report using marijuana than 2% report using other illicit substances

Veterans and Substance Abuse Changes in alcohol use since returning from service 18% increase 34% decrease 44% no change

Sexual Violence 6.2% - Verbal threats of sex against your will 8.3% - Sexual touching against your will 4.8% - Sexual penetration against your will -Almost half did not receive counseling (48%) -Almost 3 in 4 (73%) did not receive support services from the military

Veterans Experiencing PTSD Symptoms Over half experienced anxiety in the past year (51%) Are more likely to experience alcohol abuse and panic attacks than other vets Over 15% had used alcohol in more than half of the past 30 days 34% binge drinking rate among demographic

Victims of Sexual Violence Were almost twice as likely to be in an abusive relationship or suffer from depression. 2X more likely to be divorced/separated 3X more likely to self-injure 4X more likely to suffer from an eating disorder 10% more likely to consider dropping out of college Less than 1 in 5 feel a sense of belonging on campus

Veterans Deployed Overseas Are the most likely of the demographics explored to be aware of Student Veteran Organizations and be a member of a National Veterans Organization More likely to be older (25+) and be married (53%) 38% report their drinking decreasing since returning from service 14% drank more than half of the past 30 days.

Female Veterans 1 in 4 report “sexual touching against their will” Overwhelmingly suffer from MH stressors (less than 30% report none at all in the past year) 53% report experiencing anxiety in the past year (compared to 41% of all veterans). Have highest rates of abstention from alcohol (1 in 3 had no alcohol in the past month).

Data Comparison 2012 Self-Injury(2.3%) Anxiety(49%) Abusive Relationship(5.0%) No MH Stressors(33%) Assistance for Suicide(29%) Member of NATL Org.(33%) Trouble accessing benefits (8%) 2013 Self-Injury(0.7%) Anxiety(42%) Abusive Relationship(2.3%) No MH Stressors(40%) Assistance for Suicide(39%) Member of NATL Org.(42%) Trouble accessing benefits (19%)

Data Comparison 2012 Alcohol Use (2-week)(68%) Alcohol Use (30 days)(75%) Binge Rate (2 week)(30%) Illicit Drug Use(5.2%) Pay w/ GI Bill(56%) Pay w/ Loans(12%) Pay w/ Pell(7%) Scholarship(1.2%) 2013 Alcohol Use (2-week)(66%) Alcohol Use (30 days)(73%) Binge Rate (2 week)(30%) Illicit Drug Use(2.6%) Pay w/ GI Bill(65%) Pay w/ Loans(25%) Pay w/ Pell(21%) Scholarship(6.2%)

Contact Us Joan Masters, Senior Coordinator Dan Reilly, Prevention & Research Coordinator Joseph Ramsey, Graduate Research Assistant