Veterans from every walk of life are delivering the inspiring message that through mental health care, a better life is possible in the Department of Veterans Affairs Today I Am campaign.
The campaign focuses on helping veterans live a fuller life with mental health treatment and support, said National Director of VA/DoD Mental Health Collaboration Dr. Christopher Loftis.
“For some veterans facing mental health challenges it can be difficult to see that life can get better,” he said.
Maketheconnection.net features over 500 videos and provides veterans with a way to talk about what they are experiencing.
Among the things that can cause stress are relationship and career changes and financial worries, Loftis said.
“We’re highlighting stories from veterans who talk about all kinds of struggles they’ve gone through and really not just mental health struggles, but in some cases struggling to find a career, struggling to get back with family members,” he said.
By emphasizing the tools and resources that help to improve veterans’ lives, the campaign highlights both the value and the accessibility of mental health care, Loftis said.
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Veterans are inclined to isolate and not reach out for help when they are struggling, he added.
“That’s something they learn in boot camp, to be self-reliant” Loftis continued.
The videos also feature military family members talking about their experiences.
“It is sometimes helpful for veterans to hear what people around them are going through, that can be motivating,” he said.
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Loftis said veterans sometimes know they are struggling but don’t know how to articulate it.
“Seeing someone like them talk about their struggles will help them understand how to talk about their own struggles and what they are going through,” he said.
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Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectitngvets.com.