Statewide, AZ – (Feb. 1, 2025) – In our Leader Lens series, we bring you the insights and visions of leaders who are passionately working to enhance veteran support in Arizona. During a recent Team of Teams meeting, each leader was asked a profound question: If you could snap your fingers and change one thing about our work or our military and veteran community, what would it be? Their answers offer us invaluable guidance on how to build a stronger community for veterans. Today, we explore the vision of Lori Highberger whose approach focuses on building a continuous buddy system for veterans and screening for complex PTSD early in the military journey.

As a psychiatrist and internist with TriWest, Lori has dedicated her career to supporting the physical and mental health of veterans. Her work has revealed two significant gaps in veterans’ care that she believes could be transformative if addressed: the loss of support systems when veterans transition out of the military and the lack of early screening for complex PTSD. Lori’s vision centers on providing a constant buddy system for veterans, ensuring they have someone they can rely on as they navigate the transition back to civilian life. Additionally, she advocates for early screening for complex PTSD as a means to offer targeted support from the start.

The Vision: A Lifelong Buddy System and Early PTSD Screening
Lori’s vision addresses two critical challenges veterans face: social isolation post-service and untreated mental health issues. Veterans often lose the built-in camaraderie and support system of the military once they transition to civilian life. This abrupt loss of connection can leave them feeling isolated and unsupported, which can compound the challenges of reintegrating into civilian society. Lori proposes a buddy system that would connect veterans with peers and mentors, creating a reliable support network that follows them through this transition and beyond. Such a system would offer veterans a sense of community and continuity, helping them adapt to civilian life while still feeling connected to those who understand their experiences.

Additionally, Lori believes that screening for complex PTSD before individuals enter the military could be incredibly beneficial. In her view, the goal isn’t to prevent people from serving; rather, it’s to ensure they receive the necessary mental health support from the outset. Complex PTSD can arise from prolonged exposure to trauma, and early awareness of this risk could help veterans receive targeted care throughout their military journey. Lori’s approach advocates for a more proactive mental health strategy that equips service members with tools and support early on, potentially easing their transitions out of the military.

Lori’s vision emphasizes the importance of connection and early intervention. A buddy system would provide veterans with the continuity and companionship they often miss upon leaving the military, while early PTSD screening could pave the way for more comprehensive and proactive mental healthcare. Both initiatives could profoundly improve the quality of life for veterans.

Further Reading

• We Asked, Amanda French Answered
• We Asked, Dee Person Answered
• We Asked, John Scott Answered
• We Asked, Maureen McCarthy Answered
• We Asked, Steve Sample Answered
• We Asked, Sylvia Preston Answered
• We Asked, Tara Bingdazzo Answered
• We Asked, Thomas Winkel Answered
• We Asked, Wanda Wright Answered