Hanging up the uniform can bring mixed emotions, regardless of the time served or the military branch of service.
Change is never easy. Leaving the military comes with its own sense of loss: easily-made friendships borne of spending long hours together, forged under fire and intense circumstances, and those made in the earliest days of basic training when everything was new. The camaraderie that comes from speaking the same language, understanding the jokes, and being able to relax with kindred spirits can seem hard to replicate in the civilian world.
Entering your next chapter after military service can be daunting. Figuring out the next steps for jobs, schools, family, housing, and friends can be difficult. If you are carrying injuries and trauma from military service, it can seem impossible. Finding new connections that understand and appreciate your past life can seem like goals that are out of reach.
At Next Chapter, we get it. The unique sense of humor, the strained back, painful shoulders, and emotional impact of making the transition. We understand the trauma from serving and life. We know transitions can be hard. We know—because we’ve been there.
We are all Veterans, and many of us were deployed multiple times during recent conflicts. Some of us retired after decades, and some of us separated without retiring. We all faced the uncertainty when leaving the military.
We’re here to provide support.
Next Chapter isn’t like other programs. We meet each military member and Veteran where they are, focused on what they need to manage life stressors that can lead to suicidal thoughts. We support family members (whoever that looks like to you), because a family member under stress can cause tension, stress, and problems for the Veteran.
If the stressors come from transitioning from the military, Next Chapter’s partners can help with employment and access to training. They can help with food and rental assistance as you get back on your feet. We provide resources for holistic behavioral health.
Reach out. We can help make your Next Chapter the best one yet!