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Veterans Services

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Mesa Veterans Success Center

Room: K103/104
619-388-2805

Hours
Mon.-Thur.: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Friday: Closed

veterans resource center san diego mesa college
Veterans success Center (VSC)

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.

mesa college is military friendly

 Services Available

 

Social Area

  • Networking Events
  • Lounge Area
  • Coffee & Snacks (Temporarily not availabe)
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Meals provided by The Stand

Quick Resources

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.

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Additional 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.

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Services 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

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

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