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Military service members dedicate their lives to defending America's people, freedoms, and ways of life. When they return from service, a host of issues can complicate their reintegration into civilian life.

Many veterans live with mental or behavioral health challenges, including traumaticbrain injury, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder. For instance, approximately 1 in 10 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan suffers from some form of substance abuse. More than 20% of veterans suffering from PTSD also suffer from some sort of substance abuse. And according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the rate of opioid use disorder among veterans is almost double that of the general population. This trend is even more significant among low-income veterans.

With the continuing stigma associated with mental illness, many veterans may not seek help for their challenges. Additionally, service members who manifest symptoms during service may receive a "bad paper" discharge, indicating they left their service with a less-than-honorable discharge. With bad paper in hand, they may be unable to acquire necessary mental health or substance use treatment.

This one-hour live special presentation will explore these issues with leading voices in federal policy, as well as experienced practitioners who will share best practices in making sure our nation's veterans have access to the justice they have sacrificed to protect.