Why Vets Should Mediate for Other Vets
Veterans are best equipped to understand the unique experience, interests, and perspectives of other veterans, and to help them address and resolve conflicts. Veterans who serve veterans (Veterans Service Officers, Veterans Employment Representatives, and others) hold a unique place in the community as the first contact and main support for veterans and their families. Veterans in those positions are the particular focus of the Veterans Mediation training program.
Housing/Homelessness
Mediation reduces the probability of veterans becoming homeless by 1/3. It helps families retain housing and stabilizes at-risk households.
Family and Children
The long-term positive effect of mediation for families and parent/child communication is helpful for veterans.
Employment
A living wage job is essential for veterans’ security. Over 85% of work-based mediations reached complete settlement.
Trauma
Mediation skills which are helpful in managing PTSD and anxiety include:
- de-escalation
- separating out facets of complex situations
- self-determination
- finding common ground
- reaching fair agreements
What is mediation training for veterans?
Veterans often have unique needs which are distinct from those of the general population. The Veterans Mediation program is designed and customized to equip veterans with the mediation skills necessary to work effectively with fellow veterans in resolving their difficulties in civilian life.
This free mediation training for veterans serving other veterans is made possible through funding from the Commonwealth’s Legislature administered by the MA Department of Veterans Services. This training is recommended by Department of Veteran Services’ Secretary Francisco Urena.
What is Mediation?
Mediation helps people clarify issues, identify common interests, and seek their own solutions while creating agreements that satisfy the needs of everyone involved. The mediation process is flexible, informal, and promotes creative thinking.
Mediation is an effective way of resolving conflicts with the potential to preserve important relationships, and save time and money. It is:
Voluntary: All parties involved agree to be a part of the mediation and anyone can withdraw from the process at any time.
Neutral: Mediators are impartial. They do not take sides, give advice, or judge the parties.
Confidential: Mediations are done in a private setting. Under Massachusetts law, information from mediations will not be made public and cannot be used in court.
Self-determined: The parties have the opportunity and responsibility to create their own solution to the dispute. Mediators do not make suggestions or tell people what to do.
Informed: Informed consent means no agreement is signed unless the parties have the knowledge and ability to fully understand the process and the terms of their agreement.
Why should veterans use mediation?
- Resolve problems without costly or time consuming legal battles.
- Work together to find mutually satisfying solutions. Mediation is a cooperative process.
- Mend personal and professional relationships. Mediation fosters confidence, trust, and good relations.
- Solve disputes with employees, customers, and suppliers to benefit businesses in an effective way.
- Solve conflicts among coworkers and help workers solve problems that would hinder finding and keeping a job.
- Reach workable agreements within families such as between parents and teens in conflict.
- Work together to make divorce or separation agreements, keeping the interests of the children in mind.
- Find workable solutions for caring for elderly parents.
- Settle differences among neighbors that may have lasted for years.
- Resolve landlord / tenant disputes
Involved in a dispute?
Need mediation services? We can help.
If you are a veteran and would like to use mediation to resolve a conflict in your life, we provide services to veterans free of charge. We have mediators who are veterans who can work with you.