Female Veterans: Addressing Unique Challenges and Available Resource

Female veterans face unique battles even after returning home—NVHS is here to ensure they are supported every step of the way. They represent a strong, resilient group within our country’s military history. As women continue to play an increasingly prominent role in the U.S. Armed Forces, they often face distinct challenges as they transition from active service to civilian life.

The Growing Presence of Women in the Military

Historically, women have made crucial contributions to the U.S. military, although their roles have often been overlooked. Today, women serve in nearly every military position, from active combat to leadership roles, demonstrating exceptional courage and resilience. As of 2021, women comprise approximately 17% of the active-duty military force and around 20% of the National Guard and Reserve forces. This growing presence has created a vital need for specialized support and resources during active duty and after transitioning to civilian life.

Unique Challenges Faced by Female Veterans

Female veterans often face a combination of challenges unique to their experiences in the military and civilian life. Each challenge can significantly affect their well-being, family lives, careers, and sense of self. Understanding and addressing these obstacles is crucial in providing the support they deserve.

Transition to Civilian Life

Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a complex process, with additional hurdles for many female veterans, including:

Balancing Family and Career: Female veterans often face the dual demands of pursuing careers while balancing family responsibilities. They may encounter added stress as they juggle professional goals and family obligations.
Employment Compatibility: Finding a civilian role that values their military skills and experience can be challenging, with many female veterans feeling their unique skills aren’t fully appreciated in the civilian workforce.
Adjusting to Civilian Norms: Transitioning from a structured military life to civilian work environments can be difficult, especially when workplaces don’t fully understand or recognize their military background.
Navigating Gender Norms: Societal expectations can create additional pressure for women adjusting to civilian life, especially those re-integrating into family and community life after a prolonged absence.

Mental Health and Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

Mental health challenges are prominent among female veterans, with statistics indicating significantly higher rates of conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety:

PTSD and Depression: Approximately 50.7% of female veterans experience moderate to severe PTSD symptoms, while 58.7% report symptoms of depression.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST): Female veterans face higher rates of military sexual trauma (MST), with nearly 1 in 3 women reporting such experiences during their service. MST can have lasting psychological effects, contributing to the development of PTSD and other mental health issues.

The VA offers specialized treatment for MST, but access and awareness of these resources remain critical. More support and outreach are needed to ensure that every veteran dealing with MST-related challenges has the help they need.

Employment and Financial Stability

Entering the civilian job market presents unique challenges for female veterans:

Skill Compatibility: Translating military skills into civilian roles can be difficult, leading to higher unemployment rates among female veterans (around 10%) compared to male veterans (6%).
Wage Disparities: Wage gaps and limited opportunities for advancement can hinder female veterans from achieving financial stability.
Financial Hardship: Around 65% of female veterans report experiencing financial difficulties, such as making ends meet, within the past 12 months. Access to job training, career counseling, and financial planning resources is essential to addressing this issue.

Social Health and Isolation

Social health challenges are particularly significant among female veterans, who report feelings of isolation and disconnection from civilian communities:

Increased Loneliness: Female veterans report higher rates of loneliness (73%) than male veterans (64.9%).
Challenges Forming Connections: It can be difficult for female veterans to relate to civilian peers who may not understand their military experiences, and many female veterans may keep their military and civilian friends separate.
Difficulty Finding Community: Many female veterans struggle to find a supportive community that understands their experiences, which can affect mental health and social engagement.

Programs that foster peer support, community engagement, and social connection can help alleviate loneliness and promote social well-being among female veterans.

Resources and Support for Female Veterans

Fortunately, a growing network of resources tailored to female veterans is available to address these unique needs. Here are some of the most impactful options:

VA Women Veterans Health Care

The VA offers comprehensive healthcare services for women veterans, including primary care, reproductive health, mental health services, and MST-related care.

Women Veterans Call Center

This toll-free service provides information and support to women veterans, their families, and caregivers.

Phone: 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)

Center for Women Veterans (CWV)

The CWV ensures female veterans receive VA benefits and services that are on par with male veterans.

Veteran Crisis Line

A 24/7 confidential support service for veterans and their loved ones.

Phone: 988 (Press 1) | Text: 838255 Veteran Crisis Line

Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)

A national peer support network offering community and connection for female veterans. Women Veterans Network

How NVHS Supports Female Veterans

NVHS is steadfast in its mission to eliminate veteran homelessness across Central Florida. We work tirelessly to provide veterans with stable housing, essential resources, and comprehensive support. Our commitment goes beyond temporary solutions—we strive to create lasting impact, helping veterans rebuild their lives and regain independence within their communities.

Since founding in 2008, our mission has grown from providing essential food supplies and VA enrollment assistance for homeless veterans to offering various preventative services.

Preventing Homelessness

Our strategy focuses not only on assisting veterans who are currently homeless but also on taking proactive steps to reduce homelessness risks. For veterans at risk, we provide timely, targeted support through:

Financial Support: Providing essential funds to ease financial difficulties.
Budget Counseling: Offering financial guidance to help veterans avoid future crises.
Crisis Intervention: Acting quickly to prevent eviction and homelessness.

We aim to deliver sustainable solutions that uphold veterans’ dignity and independence, ensuring they remain securely housed in their communities.

Housing Support

NVHS aids veterans through our Transitional Housing Program, assisting in the journey from homelessness to stable, temporary, or permanent housing. Our services include:

Housing Application Assistance: Guiding veterans through the housing application process.
Rental Assistance: Securing funds to maintain housing stability.
Comprehensive Support Services: Providing case management, counseling, and essential life skills development in our transitional housing facilities.

Additionally, we offer Creative Art Therapy, which helps veterans explore their emotions and behaviors, as well as PTSA programs to raise awareness and provide support for those affected by post-traumatic stress.

Mental Health Resources

NVHS has put together a comprehensive list of resources dedicated to helping mental health issues, ensuring female veterans have access to compassionate care.

The Importance of Supporting Female Veterans

Supporting female veterans is essential for several reasons:

Honoring Their Service: Female veterans have significantly contributed to the military, and their sacrifices should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Addressing Unique Needs: Women veterans face challenges that require specialized care, from healthcare to mental health and employment support.
Promoting Equality: Ensuring equal resources and opportunities for female veterans helps foster a fair and just society.
Strengthening Communities: When female veterans receive the support they need, they’re better equipped to contribute positively to their families and communities.

Get Involved with National Veterans Homeless Support

You can help make a difference in the lives of female veterans by supporting NVHS in various ways:

Volunteer: Lend your time and skills to assist NVHS programs, from mentoring to organizing events or providing professional services.
Learn more: NVHS Volunteer Opportunities.
Donate: Your financial contributions directly empower NVHS’s essential programs for veterans, like our Transitional Housing program, our Search and Rescue program, crisis intervention, and access to mental health resources. Give today and be part of the change.
Raise Awareness: Sharing and spreading this information can amplify NVHS’s mission to support female veterans.

Together, we can ensure every female veteran receives the respect, resources, and care they deserve. National Veterans Homeless Support is dedicated to making a lasting impact on the lives of female veterans.

Donate Now to Help Female Veterans Reclaim Their Lives!