Resources for Student Veterans

Your health and well-being matter. You always deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Student Health & Counseling Services (SHCS) is committed to affirming and providing support for our student veterans, service members, and dependents of the Armed Services. If you have suggestions for how we can improve this page, please send an email to Health Education & Promotion at hep@shcs.ucdavis.edu.

Veterans Health and Well-being

Building a Support System

Building a support system as a veteran can help you adjust to new surroundings, classes and life as a UC Davis student. Finding shared interests and building a community can be challenging but there are many resources available for our Veteran students looking for that community.

  • Veterans Success Center and their Activities

  • The mission of the Veterans Success Center (VSC) is to provide services to student veterans, service members and dependents of the Armed Services with a welcoming space, career staff and peer advising, guidance with educational benefits, and engagement opportunities that span the University and the larger Davis community. 

    Find On-Campus Resources: A list of on-campus resources for veterans, service members, and dependents of the Armed Services.

    Getting Involved in the Community: Check out this list of activities and organizations to get connected!

    Activities
    -Veteran and Dependent Orientations
    -Veterans Week
    -Memorial Day Remembrance (Gold Star Aggie Wall)
    -Veteran Career Networking Event
    -Monthly social events
    -Coffee and Donuts every Wednesday
    -Football tailgates in partnership with the Davis Student Veteran Organization
    -Hail & Farewell end of year celebration

    Check this calendar for more details on dates and locations for the above activities.

  • Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

  • Veteran Orientation: Veteran Orientation takes place at the beginning of fall quarter and gives veterans the opportunity to meet other veterans, have questions about their benefits answered, and be introduced to numerous campus resources!


    First Year Aggie Connections - Transition Course: First Year Aggie Connections (FYAC) are a great way to meet other newly transferred students and reentry students while also learning more about the university. Through the FYAC program, the Veterans Success Center offers a transition course that introduces students to campus resources and other students in a small cohort. This course can also help students view their previous military experience as important transferable skills.

    Strategies for Academic Success for Student Veterans (2-unit Pass/No Pass transition course): Veterans bring their talents, skills, and experience to UC Davis. Once on campus numerous opportunities await them throughout their academic courses, clubs and organizations, and volunteer and research opportunities. This small cohort course is designed to help student veterans make the most of their time at UC Davis. Students will refine their strategies for goal-setting, time management, and academic planning, while being introduced to campus resources and opportunities beyond the classroom

    For more information about the course, email vaoffice@ucdavis.edu

  • Local Organizations

  • Davis Student Veteran Organization
    “The purpose of the Davis Student Veteran Organization shall be to provide a forum for collegiality and networking between student veterans and military personnel from all branches of service as well as students committed to advocacy for veterans, promote awareness of and advocacy for veteran issues, and organized service to local veterans and the community”

    King Hall Veterans Association
    “KHVA exists to bridge the gap between veteran and non-veteran law students through honest and intelligent conversations, events that bring together these two groups, and by connecting with members of the community who are either veterans themselves or supporters of veterans.”

    UC Davis Veteran Constituency Group
    “The Veteran Constituency Group’s mission is to serve as a campus veteran resource that fosters unity and advocates on behalf of veteran staff, faculty, and students in an effort to increase the presence, visibility, and advocacy of the University of California, DAvis veterans, service members and families. We will work to bring about a broad-based awareness, promote a shared environment of sensitivity and understanding, and encourage excellence and advancement at all levels within the UC Davis campus community.     Email veterans@ucdavis.edu for more information or to get involved."

    VFW Post 6949 Davis, CA
    “Many of the VFW Post 6949 members are UC Davis alumni and we partner with the DSVO and the UC Davis VSC in hosting numerous events. Their mission: foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts; serve our veterans, the military, and our communities; and advocate on behalf of all veterans. Their vision: ensure that veterans are respected for their service, always receive their earned entitlements and are recognized for the sacrifices they and their loved ones have made on behalf of this great country. Their core values: serve our community; honor military service; and ensure the care of veterans and their families."

    UC Davis Military Network, CAAA
    “The Cal Aggie Alumni Association is home to the Aggie Network, which consists of several smaller networks of which the UC Davis Military Network is one. The CAAA helps all of UC Davis’ 250,000+ alumni around the world, Aggie parents and families”

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Traumatic brain injuries can have a wide-range of physical and psychological effects. While signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, others may appear days or weeks later. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may include physical, sensory or cognitive symptoms. If you feel like you have any of these symptoms, please make an appointment with SHCS. 

  • Physical Symptoms
  • Headache
    Nausea or vomiting
    Fatigue or drowsiness
    Problems with speech
    Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Sensory Symptoms
  • Sensory problems such as blurred vision
    Ringing in ears
    A bad taste in the mouth or changes in the ability to smell
  • Cognitive, Behavioral or Mental Symptoms
  • Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minute at a time,

    No loss of consciousness, but being in a state of daze, confusion, or disorientation
    Memory or concentration problems
    Mood changes or mood swings
    Feeling depressed or anxious
    Difficulty sleeping
    Sleeping more than usual

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD symptoms may start within a month of the traumatic event but can sometimes not appear until years after the initial incident. According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD symptoms are grouped into four groups: intrusive memories, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.

  • Intrusive Memories

  • Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event
    Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks)
    Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event
    Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event

  • Avoidance

  • Trying to avoid thinking or talking about the traumatic event
    Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the traumatic event

  • Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood

  • Negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world
    Hopelessness about the future
    Memory problems (including not remembering important aspects of the traumatic event)
    Difficulty maintaining close relationships
    Feeling detached from family and friends
    Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed
    Difficulty experiencing positive emotions
    Feeling emotionally numb

  • Changes in Physical and Emotional Reactions

  • Being easily startled or frightened
    Always being on guard for danger
    Self-destructive behavior such as drinking too much or driving too fast
    Trouble sleeping
    Trouble concentrating
    Irritability, angry outbursts, or aggressive behavior
    Overwhelming guilt or shame

Veterans' Crisis Line

This service offers free, confidential, and 24/7 support for veterans, their friends, or their families. You do not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to access this resource. Note: this service is a non-UC Davis specific resource.