A former law enforcement officer who now teaches at Eastern Kentucky University says college campuses need to become more “veteran friendly.”
“We’re seeing at least a 400% increase of these people coming back onto campus, trying to adjust, not only to a changed world view because of what they’ve been involved with, but come back into an academic setting that may or may not be responsive to their new challenges,” Dr. Carole Garrison said.
A professor of ethics in criminal justice at Eastern Kentucky University, she was a guest on Monday’s MetroNews Talkline. She will speak about post traumatic stress disorder at West Virginia State University on Tuesday.
PTSD can occur after someone is exposed to any traumatic event like combat, physical or sexual abuse, serious accidents like a car wreck or following a natural disaster such as a fire, tornado, hurricane or flood.
Dr. Garrison says campuses that are especially “veteran friendly” have offices dedicated to veterans to help them with disability issues, coping mechanisms and support, often in the form of other veterans.
She says higher education leaders also have to be part of the effort.
“To get faculty on board, to identify these students when they see them distracted or dropping out, to reach out and see what’s going on and help them get the therapy or treatment they need,” she said.
Garrison is a former police officer with the Atlanta Bureau of Police Services.
On Tuesday, she’ll speak in Room 134 of West Virginia State University’s Wilson University Union in Kanawha County. The event that is free and open to the public begins at 10 a.m.
Kanawha County Senator Erik Wells, who is a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, will also be part of the discussion. He serves as chairman of the Senate Military Committee.