‘Lunch & Learn’ Workshop
Veterans Helping Veterans: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Workshop
Region Five’s Veterans Helping Veterans workshops offer resources, help, and support for veterans, service members, and their families.
You’re Invited!
July 31st, 2024
12:00-2:00 (EST)
Veterans Helping Veterans: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Workshop
Men’s mental health issues are often overlooked. This workshop will cover a variety of mental health topics specifically for service members and veterans and will offer a chance to connect with resources within your community.
What will we be talking about?
- Environmental issues and how they can impact mental health
- Introduction to mental health awareness.
- Veteran Lived experiences regarding mental health and substance abuse recovery.
- Introduction to substance use disorders
- Gun Awareness, Lock & Talk
How can you attend?
When: July 31, 2024, 12:00-2:00
Where: 7025 Harborview, Suffolk, VA (Whiteboard Room)
A box lunch will be provided.
We hope to see you there!
The Veterans Helping Veterans workshops are recurring ‘Lunch-and-Learn’ events for current and past armed forces members and their families.
As I started my journey of recovery, my prayer was that I maintain my faith in God and remove all shame and guilt of my past so my life story would become someone else’s survival guide. I am currently employed at WTCSB as a Team Lead for the SSG Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. I am a Registered Certified Peer Recovery Specialist/Life Coach with 26 years of lived experience in recovery. I have a beautiful, supportive wife, daughter, 3 grandchildren and I am now a proud great-grandfather. I live by the saying: “Its okay not to be okay, and its never too late, you’re never too old to become the best version of yourself, you cannot undo what’s been done, but today is the first day of the rest of your life, change your mindset, you will change your life.”
Growing up as a child was rough and I always felt like I needed more or there was something else out there for me. I joined the Army at 17 as a Calvary Scout(19D). After four tours to Iraq everything in my life was different – my experiences with combat, the loss of brothers serving with me, and the suicide of a soldier have been the hardest thing I have ever had to go through. After suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) while deployed I was diagnosed with Epilepsy and released from active duty. Throughout my career, as well as after I got out, I drank heavily. I was an alcoholic. Dealing with PTSD isn’t easy, but I coped the only way I knew how. After trying to end my own life, I got help. I have been through the treatment facilities for PTSD and substance abuse. I now process everything in a different light. I have been sober now for 18 months and intend to stay sober. I am currently doing what I love helping veterans and I am in the process of getting my degree in social work. Everything in my life is no longer a problem for me to process and I love to share my battles and successes with those who struggle with life. Having a story that others can relate to and use in their own recovery is why I believe I am here.
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