Why Veterans Make Good Mental Health Professionals

Many veterans find themselves unsure what to do with their lives after service, which can be frustrating and challenging to adapt to civilian life. There are several fields where veterans often excel, including in mental health. There is, of course, a strong link between serving in the military and mental health, with many veterans requiring some form of mental health support after service and many suffering from PTSD, but there are several reasons why someone that has served could make a fantastic mental health professional and help other veterans as well as people from different walks of life. 

Ability to Deal with Difficult Situations 

Following this point, those who have served also will have strength and the ability to deal with difficult situations, making them well-suited to a role such as a forensic psychologist. What is forensic psychology? This specialized branch involves connecting the law with psychology, helping both victims and investigators, including identifying what makes criminals commit crimes and determining whether or not a criminal has a mental illness.

Desire to Protect & Help 

The most obvious reason that veterans often make excellent mental health professionals is that it is in their nature to protect and help others. This is not only during service, as many who have served have found that even after leaving the military, they will also help others, especially any fellow veterans struggling. 

Ability to Empathize 

Another reason that veterans can make good mental health professionals is that they can often empathize with others. As a veteran, you are likely to have experienced some upsetting, challenging, and traumatic things, so you understand how this can have a lasting impact. Mental health professionals need to be able to connect and empathize with patients who have experienced difficulties in their lives, which many veterans are excellent at. The Master of Science in Forensic Psychology is the perfect program for those interested in this role. 

Ability to Read People 

Those who are ex-military often possess the ability to read people, which is, of course, a hugely valuable skill as a mental health professional. While this ability serves different purposes in different areas, the ability to read people in a mental health setting allows you to get a clearer picture, pick up non-verbal cues and identify the best way to connect, communicate and treat people. 

Strong Work Ethic 

To succeed as a mental health professional, you will need a strong work ethic as there is a lot of studying and practice that needs to be completed. Those who have served will always have an extremely strong work ethic, which will prove hugely helpful when it comes to studying and getting qualified. 

As you can see, there are a few reasons why someone that has served in the military would make a good mental health professional. Working in mental health can be immensely rewarding and allows you to help others and make a positive difference to the world, something that any ex-military individual will find appealing and understand.