Veterans Day, celebrated annually on November 11, serves as an opportunity to honor the individuals who serve in the military. It also presents a reminder to recognize the challenges many veterans face, including veterans right here in Maine.
To learn more about veterans’ mental health needs, we spoke with Jim Kelley, a Spurwink Practice Manager, about his transition to civilian life after 30 years in the U.S. Army. He joined Spurwink in September 2026 and will help support trainings in military culture that include routinely asking the question, “Have you or a family member ever worn the uniform of the U.S. Military?” when providing behavioral health services.
Many service members, veterans, and military families don’t volunteer their service history. By asking the question, “Have you ever worn the uniform,” providers identify a significant portion of the population—often around 18%—that might otherwise go unrecognized. Providers can then better understand their clients’ experience and meet their needs.
Veterans and Mental Health
Veterans face mental health impacts at a higher rate than the civilian population in the United States.
Combat exposure, sustained stress, and the physical toll of service all contribute to the mental health of veterans. Nearly one quarter of U.S. veterans also experience probable Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), which can significantly increase anxiety, depression, and suicide. Some veterans also live with experiences of military sexual trauma, the loss of fellow service members, and other traumas.
The transition to civilian life presents serious risk factors for veterans’ mental health. “The hardest part is a loss of identity,” Jim shared. “Whether you serve two years or 30, it’s such an all-encompassing life.” He added, “The complete transition, I think, will take me a number of years. I still wake up in the morning at 4:00, and I go and work out like I did all those years in the Army, because it’s just muscle memory.”
Research tells us that the rate of suicide among veterans in Maine is almost twice the rate of the general population, with more than half of first suicide attempts among veterans occurring after their separation from service. Research has found that veterans are most vulnerable to suicidal ideation during the first three months after their discharge, while reintegrating into civilian life. During this time, it’s most critical to provide resources and safety nets for veterans to help them re-adjust to civilian life.
Helping Veterans Overcome Mental Health Challenges
For veterans seeking crisis support, the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is always available. Dial 988 and press 1 for specialized support for veterans. Veterans can also text 838255 for 24/7 crisis support.
Research has shown that navigating the health care system—in other words, getting access to the care they need—is the number one reason why veterans haven’t sought help. Many veterans are also impacted by the cultural environment of military training—the belief that self-reliance and control of one’s emotions can lead to a stigma surrounding mental health concerns.
“It’s gotten better,” Jim shared, noting that many veterans and service members now embrace mental health and see it in a more positive light. “For many years, it was quite negative.” He also recognizes that veterans from older generations may feel more shame associated with seeking help.
What Jim would say to any veteran struggling to ask for help is this: “To me, personally, becoming healthy is remembering our brothers and sisters who fell, whether that was in combat operations or those who have taken their own lives.” Jim wears a tree of life on his wrist each day as a symbol of fellow service members who have passed.
As a behavioral health services provider, Spurwink works with veterans and other veteran-serving organizations across Maine to connect them to the care and support they need. We provide assessments and identify needed services, connecting them to the veteran-identified service provider(s). Our staff also assist Service Members, Veterans, and Families (SMVF) with accessing benefits through the Maine Bureau of Veterans Services.
Spurwink’s Crisis Centers are open 24/7 for anyone age 14+, including veterans, to access crisis support services:
- Living Room Crisis Center: 895 Washington Ave, Portland, ME
- Lewiston Crisis Center: 1155 Lisbon Street, Lewiston, ME
Spurwink is deeply invested in those who have chosen to serve in the military. We continue to increase competence and prepare our staff to provide welcoming, safe, trauma-informed services.
Jim shared that he appreciates the opportunity to work with fellow veterans, ask them how they’re feeling, and connect with them over shared experiences. “Empathy is a constant at Spurwink,” he emphasized. “It’s one of the things I enjoy the most about working here.”
Contact Spurwink by calling (207) 871-1200 or emailing spurwink.link@spurwink.org.
