Fall 2024 Behan Law Group Military Veteran Scholarship Winner

Chelsea McElya

A combat medic who served the United States Army admirably in both Afghanistan and Iraq, Chelsea saw firsthand the horrors of war and the emotional toll it takes on those who fight. In Chelsea’s essay, you will read about her bravery and how she now seeks to better the lives of veterans suffering from PTSD.

Read Chelsea’s Essay:

At the age of 17, I made the decision to become a Combat Medic in the United States Army. In 2009, I was deployed for a second time, after only eight months back from Iraq to Afghanistan; this deployment changed my life in an instant when RPGs attacked our convoy. At the time, I had no real idea of how that experience would significantly impact the academic and professional aspirations that I would pursue in the future. My path from the battlefield to the counseling room has been one of resiliency, healing, and a profound desire to assist my fellow veterans who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

I found that the time spent during my deployments was difficult and life-changing. As a combat medic, I was stationed near the front lines of the conflict, where I was responsible for providing medical care to my fellow soldiers, clearly in observation of the brutal realities of war. The trauma of combat was something I experienced, and I have had to continuously deal with the emotional and physical toll that my injuries took on me, even 15 years later. After going through these experiences, I was left with an indelible impression, and I knew that I wanted to use my journey of healing to assist other people who were going through difficulties that were comparable to mine.

Because of this, I decided to begin to work towards a degree in social work with a concentration in clinical counseling for veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I have a unique viewpoint as a combat medic who has been through both battle and injury, and I believe that this gives me a profound knowledge of my fellow veterans' challenges. I intend to make use of my education and skills to offer them the assistance, direction, and resources that they require to recover and recover successfully.

Veterans in my area have a vast need for mental health services, and there is plenty of room for improvement. There is an ever-growing number of veterans who are battling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, and they frequently face obstacles while trying to get the therapy they require. As a counselor, I intend to use my degree to promote the efficacy of therapy within my community by providing veterans with mental health treatments that are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and easily accessible. In addition, I intend to push for policies and initiatives that are advantageous to veterans' mental health and well-being. Among these include the promotion of gender-sensitive and inclusive mental health treatments, as well as the creation of awareness of the specific issues that combat medics and other military personnel confront, such as moral harm.

In addition to my work as a counselor, I aim to participate in social outreach and community education activities. The stigma that is associated with mental illness is something that I want to work toward reducing and raising awareness about the mental health issues of veterans. I hope that by sharing my story of overcoming adversity and finding healing, I can encourage other veterans to seek assistance and support. My whole experience as a combat medic throughout the conflict has significantly impacted the academic and professional goals I have set for myself. I am dedicated to utilizing my education and skills to positively affect my community and support my fellow veterans as they travel the path to healing and recovery.

The ongoing need for mental health care in the veteran population is a vast undertaking. While the physical wounds of combat heal over time, the internal struggles only worsen. As a veteran, I understand that speaking with someone who has gone through similar experiences can aid in an individual opening to therapy as a welcomed tool for success in life, love, and happiness and healing. I hope to earn the honor of your law firm's scholarship and intend to utilize it to further my educational journey. I appreciate your time and consideration.