Veterans Services
Mesa Veterans Success Center
Room: K103/104
619-388-2805
Hours
Mon.-Thur.: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: Closed
Welcome to the Veterans Success Center (VSC)
Room K103/104
619-388-2885
FALL/SPRING HOURS
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday: Closed
SUMMER HOURS
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday/Friday: CLOSED
IMPORTANT COVID MESSAGE:
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the District's highest priority has continued to
be the health and safety of its employees and students.
Please visit https://www.sdmesa.edu/student-services/online-student-support-services.shtml for information on contacting Student Services departments.
The Veterans Success Center provides military-connected students with a special place to study, relax and receive resources, support, and advocacy to achieve their educational and professional goals. Examples of the support and resources offered include Academic Counseling, Personal & Wellness Counseling Services, Career Counseling, Computers & Printing, Scholarships, Transfer Information, Benefits Information, Study Area, and more. Feel free to stop by and check out the center soon.
Student Services Online Resources
VA Education Benefits Staff & Certification Information (Any VA benefit questions)
General Questions for Veterans Services at SD Mesa
VA Certification Information
Email: SDMESAVets@sdccd.edu
619-388-2805
School Certifying Officials:
Laura Arellano
Adrian Tanjuaquio
COVID-19 Questions/Concerns/Updates: (Including VA Updates)
The following links can provide you with updates, frequently asked questions, and
resources to health and mental health services:
VA COVID-19 Housing Allowance Update--release 12/21/2021
VA COVID Student FAQ's
District frequently asked questions
SD Mesa College
Health and Mental Health resources for students
For more information and updates, please visit the SDCCD Coronavirus news center here: https://www.sdccd.edu/coronavirus/index.aspx
**Now Announcing Online Tutoring available for students**
Strength - Collaboration - Accountability - Leadership - Excellence
The San Diego Mesa College Veterans Services Program promotes a culture of collaboration within the campus and surrounding community to increase awareness and sensitivity to matters concerning veterans, active duty and their dependents. As part of this effort, the San Diego Mesa College’s Veterans Success Center was established for student veterans as a place to study, relax, and provide resources, support and advocacy needed to achieve their educational and professional goals.
Services Available
- Academic Counseling
- Personal & Wellness Counseling Services
- Computers & Printing
- Scholarship Information
- Transfer Information
- Benefits Information
- Study Area
Social Area
- Networking Events
- Lounge Area
- Coffee & Snacks (Temporarily not availabe)
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Meals provided by The Stand
Quick Resources
- Mesa Counseling & Academic Advising Center
- Mesa Career and Transfer Services
- Mesa Health and Psychological Services
- Mesa Disability Support Programs and Services
- Healthcare for Veterans
- Veterans Counseling and Psychological Services
- Services for Returning Veterans
Healthcare for Veterans
The Veterans Health Administration provides:
- Five years of free health care for veterans with service-related conditions who served in a theater of combat for Afghanistan or Iraq (OEF/OIF) since November 11, 1998,
- Low-cost or free health care for all other veterans based on a wide range of eligibility criteria
VA San Diego Healthcare System provides comprehensive health care at the medical center in La Jolla and clinics in Mission Valley, Chula Vista, Vista, Escondido and Imperial Valley.
The transition team provides screening for all OEF/OIF veterans for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, depression, and suicide risk. The team also assists with counseling and transition services.
To enroll for VA healthcare, please call our Enrollment and Eligibility Office at (858) 552-7523.
Back to the topAdditional Counseling and Psychological Services
Student Veterans
Whether this is your first semester or you're a few months from graduation, the transition from the demands of military life to those of the university can create a significant amount of stress. Many of you are returning from war-zones; the amount of stress from that experience added to what you must already face is, often, immeasurable and overwhelming.
Recent studies show that as many as 1 in 3 returning veterans have already, or will experience one or more psychological conditions. A July 2004 article published in the New England Journal of Medicine ("Combat Duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, Mental Health Barriers to Care," Vol. 351, No. 1) indicated that 1 in 6 veterans fit criteria for symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Officials with the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) claim that many veterans will not receive the psychological treatment they need.
Discovery of a medical problem or psychological disorder during one of the many exit examinations all military members must complete frequently results in a hold on dismissal from service. As a result, many service members don't report problems that require professional attention because they are, understandably, anxious to begin their new civilian lives.
War Zone Stress Reaction and PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling disorder that may develop following a traumatic event. Often, people with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts, memories, and dreams of the terrifying event and feel emotionally distant. An event resulting in PTSD usually involves experiencing death or dismemberment, in some fashion, and a feeling that one was helpless during that event. Common symptoms of PTSD include the following:
- Recurring and intrusive memories and/or dreams of the event
- Acting or feeling as if the traumatic event were happening
- Intense distress in response to cues resembling some aspect of the event
- Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, or conversations related to the event
- Feeling detachment or estrangement from others
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
- Difficulty concentrating
- Depression
Why do so many veterans of this war suffer from war zone stress reactions?
The war in Iraq is known for close-quarters battle. As such, there are no safe places
or front lines; soldiers are often unsure whether indigenous personnel are friend
or foe. Troops almost never experience anything in Iraq without constant fear of loss
of life. They never relax and adrenaline is constantly pushed through the body at
alarming rates. Constant high levels of adrenaline create problems over time.
When troops return home, they may find great difficulty in adjusting to a more peaceful
environment. Panic attacks may be triggered suddenly by sights and sounds that even
remotely resemble war-time conditions.
Panic Attacks
A panic attack involves a sudden and intense fear or discomfort in the absence of real danger. Panic attacks may be unexpected, or brought on by an environmental trigger. In an unexpected attack, the person experiencing the panic may not be able to link the attack to any trigger. Sometimes, the person experiencing the attack may be able to link the episode to a trigger.
Common symptoms of panic attacks include the following:
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath or feeling of suffocation
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fear of death or losing control, "going crazy"
- Tingling in the fingers and toes
If you are experiencing panic attacks, please visit with a counselor as soon as possible.
Why do I need to get help?
Many returning service members will suffer from some degree of war zone stress reactions. It is important for returning troops to be aware of the importance of counseling services. Since many now live in a relatively peaceful environment, it may become easier to avoid reminders of trauma faced in Iraq and to, therefore, put off seeking counseling services. Failure to participate in counseling may not only further impact war-related psychological difficulties, but may also exacerbate disorders that may have been present before deployment.
Back to the topServices for Returning Veterans
The San Diego Mesa College Veterans Affairs Office is located in I4-102, 619-388-2805 and can help answer any of your questions concerning veteran benefits.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs guide for returning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve service members is a great starting place for VA benefits questions.
National Resources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Air Force Reserves
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Army Reserve
- U.S. Coast Guard
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Marines Corps
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- U.S. Military Academy, West Point
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Naval Reserve
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Navy - en Espanol
- Army University Access Online
- Center for Women Veterans
- National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
- Military Career Guide Online
- Reserve Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense
- Student Veterans of America
California State Resources
California Department of Veterans Affairs
(800) 952-5626
(800) 221-8998 (Outside California)
Cal Vet Fee Waiver Office
San Diego Office
(619) 531-4545
(866) 653-2504 FREE - Toll Free
SanDiego@cdva.ca.gov
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
www.cacvso.org
California State University Troops to College
www.calstate.edu/veterans
San Diego Vet Center
2900 6th Avenue
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 294-2040
Veterans Affairs San Diego Medical Center
3350 La Jolla Village Dr.
San Diego, CA 92161
(858) 552-8585