ORCID

Sarah J. Litt: 0009-0003-7378-3181

Joseph Ditre: 0000-0002-8914-6908

Document Type

Poster

Date

4-10-2025

Keywords

Military behavioral health, Veteran behavioral health, Undergraduate course

Department

Psychology

Campus Community

Center for Health Behavior Research and Innovation

Language

English

Disciplines

Military and Veterans Studies

Description/Abstract

Understanding the behavioral health needs of military service members and veterans is important for students who may pursue careers across the helping professions. This poster presentation details the development of a new undergraduate course that provides foundational knowledge in military and veteran behavioral health. The course examines a broad spectrum of psychological and behavioral health issues, including substance use and addiction, trauma and PTSD, military sexual trauma, suicide, pain and physical impairment, depression, anxiety, and the challenges associated with transitioning to civilian life. It also explores family and relationship dynamics, military culture, and barriers to mental health care. Key considerations in course development included selecting diverse lecture topics and course materials that reflect the varied experiences of military populations, as well as designing assignments that foster critical thinking and effective communication of research findings. Through assigned readings, lectures, group discussions, and student presentations, the course aims to deepen students understanding of how military history, culture, and service experiences influence psychological well-being and help-seeking behaviors. By providing insights into both the content and pedagogy of this course, the presentation encourages the integration of military and veteran behavioral health topics into undergraduate curricula. Ultimately, this initiative aims to equip future professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the complex behavioral health concerns of military and veteran populations.

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