The special needs of the American Indian population have been the focus of many studies, some of which have special impact on Indian veterans. These special needs can be grouped around cultural and personal identity problems, which are multifaceted and interacting. These problems directly impact both the community and the individual self-concept. The problems briefly described in this article facing American Indians include: stress, depression, substance abuse, and racism. Examples of each of these and their impact on the Indian veteran are presented. It is imperative that counselors be aware that Indian veterans' culture is radically different than mainstream veterans. 1 reference and 1 note