For many Veterans, the effects of military sexual trauma (MST) can last long after their service ends. At the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS), providers and survivors are working to ensure Veterans know help is available and that they are not alone.<\/p>\n
MST refers to sexual assault or harassment experienced during military service and can affect anyone, regardless of background.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething important to know about MST is that it can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or branch of service,\u201d stated Martha Strachan, MST coordinator at the Orlando VA. \u201cIt can occur at any time or place during military service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strachan said her role focuses on connecting Veterans to care and increasing awareness of available services.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy primary role is to help connect survivors with healthcare services that are right for them,\u201d Strachan said. \u201cWe also conduct outreach to reach Veterans who may not know these services exist.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nationally, about one in three women Veterans and one in 40 men report having experienced MST. At the Orlando VA, thousands of Veterans receive MST-related care each year.<\/p>\n
Despite that, many Veterans hesitate to come forward. Strachan emphasized that Veterans do not need proof or prior reporting to receive care.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that survivors know that we believe them,\u201d Strachan said. \u201cA Veteran\u2019s self-report is enough, and they do not have to have reported the event during their service.\u201d<\/p>\n
Services include counseling, group therapy, and specialized treatment programs, all provided at no cost for MST-related conditions.<\/p>\n
For many, group therapy is a key step in healing. Stephanie Clark, MST social worker, has expanded the program\u2019s group offerings to better meet Veterans\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I started, there was only one group. Now we have five,\u201d Clark shared. \u201cThe goal is to give veterans options and meet them where they are in their healing journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clark emphasized that one of the most powerful aspects of group therapy is connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing is they realize they\u2019re not alone,\u201d explains Clark. \u201cThat helps reduce the guilt and shame many carry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Air Force Veteran Veronica Temple shared how discovering the MST program changed her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had kept my silence for so long, and I was just tired of holding it in,\u201d Temple remarked.<\/p>\n
Temple first learned about the program after seeing information during a VA visit. After reaching out, she began attending sessions and working through years of trauma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started learning how to set boundaries, speak up for myself, and understand my triggers,\u201d Temple explained. \u201cI feel more like myself now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Temple said the program helped her rediscover parts of her identity she had lost.<\/p>\n
\u201cI started doing things I enjoy again,\u201d Temple shared. \u201cI learned that I matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Temple now encourages other Veterans to take the first step.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to be about the change that you want,\u201d Temple advised. \u201cWhen you start doing the work, you realize it\u2019s worth it.\u201d<\/p>\n
With April recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Orlando VA leaders say it\u2019s an important time to raise awareness and reach more Veterans.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to bring this out of the darkness,\u201d Clark stated. \u201cVeterans don\u2019t have to suffer in silence anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strachan added that even Veterans who believe they are not eligible for VA care may still qualify for MST services.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want them to reach out,\u201d Strachan said. \u201cYou are not alone, and we\u2019re here to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veterans seeking more information about MST services can contact MST Coordinator Martha Strachan at .\u00a0<\/p>\n
For more information about upcoming events at the Orlando VA Healthcare System, visit\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, please visit:\u00a0VA Orlando Health Care | Veterans Affairs<\/a>, subscribe to receive email updates by clicking\u00a0here<\/a>, like us on Facebook at:\u00a0@OVAHCS<\/a>, follow us on Instagram at:\u00a0@OVAHCS<\/a>\u00a0or on Twitter at:\u00a0@OVAHCS<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 ###<\/p>\n Established in October 2006, the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) was designated\u00a0a 1a facility (most complex) in 2021, with more than 5,660 employees and an annual budget of $1.5B and serves more than 131,000 Veterans in Central Florida. The Orlando VA Medical Center at Lake Nona provides outpatient, inpatient and emergency services. Lake Nona\u2019s 65-acre medical campus encompasses 134 acute inpatient beds, providing complex Medical\/Surgical\/Mental Health specialty care, advanced diagnostic services, and a large multispecialty outpatient clinic, as well as a 120-bed Community Living Center, two Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs\/Domiciliaries (60-beds located at the Lake Nona Campus and 58-beds at the Lake Baldwin Campus). Outpatient services are provided at a Health Care Center in Viera, a Multispecialty Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Daytona Beach, and five Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Clermont, Lake Baldwin, Kissimmee, Deltona, Palm Bay and Tavares.<\/p>\n