From Summerville to Lander: A Student’s Quest to Heal Veterans’ Invisible Wounds

From Summerville to Lander: One Student’s Mission to Heal Invisible Wounds

You might think that a small South Carolina town like Lander is just like any other college town, but it holds a wealth of stories—like that of Declan Dunn, who’s on a remarkable journey to make a real difference. With her bright smile and determined spirit, Declan isn’t your average sophomore. This spirited psychology major from Summerville has set her eyes on helping the heroes of our nation—our veterans and service personnel—not just with their physical struggles but with the battles they fight within.

Chasing Ambitions and Dreams

Determined to “heal wounds you cannot see”, Declan chose Lander University to lay down the foundation for her future. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a stepping stone towards her dream of obtaining a doctoral degree. Her ultimate goal? To address the mental health needs of our nation’s service members, making sure they are not left in the shadows.

Declan’s path isn’t one she stumbled upon by accident. She realized that many veterans keep battling mental health issues long after their service ends. Noticing the looming stigma around mental health, she wants to be the change she wishes to see. “Too often, there is a stigma attached to mental health problems, and people don’t receive the care they need,” she shared, visibly touched by her mission.

Committed to Service

Already holding a solid commitment to the military, Declan’s passion started from her high school years. Four years in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) at West Ashley High School prepared her for the challenges ahead. She even graduated high school early in January 2023, just so she could complete basic training before heading off to college. Imagine braving Fort Leonard Wood’s chilling Missouri winters, fresh out of Charleston’s comfort—now that takes guts!

Declan made sure to make every moment count. Venturing into the world of academia and military, she’s embraced the structure and order that come with the ROTC program—a sense of belonging to something larger than herself.

An Advocate on and off Campus

Not just content with excelling academically, Declan is a peer leader in the University’s LINK program, helping freshmen navigate their first year and also serves as a Presidential Ambassador, sharing her love for the university. She gleefully mentions, “I love being able to give tours and share my love of Lander with prospective students and their families.”

Her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. Declan boasts top academic honors and has proven her mettle in ROTC training, even enthusiastically taking on those early morning physical drills.

The Bigger Picture

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, mental health is a significant issue among veterans. Nearly one in three veterans from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan develop post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), with female veterans facing it more than twice as often as their male counterparts. Declan sees the vast need for holistic care and wants to be that bridge to help veterans cross over to a healthier mental state.

With family now embracing the military path inspired by Declan’s steps, she’s started a new trend among her kin. As Veteran’s Day rolls around each year, Declan is thrilled by the thought of one day being recognized as a veteran herself, stating, “It is exciting to know that I will be that person… these are the people I look up to now.”

Lander is proud to foster brave individuals like Declan, who set out ready to make a change, armed with knowledge, empathy, and an unstoppable drive.