A recent study by the National Center for Veterans’ Studies and Student Veterans of America found that nearly half of military veterans enrolled in a college or university have contemplated suicide.

Sheryl Frye, Assistant Director of Counseling for Military Student Services, said the findings of the study were accurate.

“A lot of veterans have experienced stressful life experiences in combat,” she said. “They are living in stressful environments, especially when deployed overseas.”

Frye said the transition from military to civilian life can present a challenge for veterans.

“Some soldiers have important jobs in the military and a lot of support,” she said. “Then they come home and feel isolated.”

The NIU Psychological Services Center provides counseling for any readjustment issues returning veterans may have, said Dr. Karen White, Director of the NIU Psychological Services Center.

White said sometimes student veterans feel out of sync with other students who have not served in the military.

“What often doesn’t get communicated is a sense of respect for what they have done, regardless if you agree with it politically,” she said.

White also said veterans may struggle with the curiosity and misconceptions of other people, who may ask sensitive questions before getting to know the veteran personally.

“When an average student interacts with a veteran, it is never appropriate to ask them if they have killed anyone,” Frye said.

Herb Holderman, Superintendent of the DeKalb County Veterans Assistance Commission (DCVAC), said he thinks a large part of the adjustment between military and civilian life is that there are no longer people giving soldiers directions and telling them what to do.

“When you get out, you have to figure out what to do by yourself,” Holderman said.

Frye said soldiers are sometimes asked to stay deployed longer, or assigned to multiple deployments, which can be very stressful.

“The stress is overwhelming and there is a shortage of mental health services in the military,” Frye said.

Holderman said the DCVAC has a contract psychologist, Dr. Peter Coe, who specializes in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and rage counseling. Returning veterans are also eligible for PTSD counseling and anger management counseling through Veterans Affairs in Rockford, he said. White said the NIU Psychological Services Center also has a number of people on staff who are knowledgeable about PTSD and can help student veterans seeking assistance.

“We pay particular attention to veterans,” White said.