Conversations about PTSD and suicide are like a shot of whiskey.
They’re often hard to take and are usually over without much being said.
Our recent interview with Mikele Buck, an Iraq combat veteran and country artist currently competing on NBC’s The Voice, gave us a shot of advice that was 100 proof.
On PTSD:
“I think the high rate of PTSD is because we get people so wound up and not enough time to relax and tell people they are human … and there’s so much, by-the-book political BS," said Buck. "Y’know you need to let your guys have a drink once in a while. You need to rotate ‘em back to the world so they can chase some women for a while … and remember what the hell they’re fighting for!"
On Suicide:
While deployed in Iraq, Buck described meeting his combat brother, Charles, and how they discovered they both hailed from the same part of West Virginia’s coal country. “He loved writing songs, loved country music. He had a guitar too and was one of the guys I picked around with over there … and through that deployment, we ended up being brothers.”
After the military, Buck said Charles found work in the mines and everything appeared to be good. But when he got the news that his combat brother had taken his own life, it was hard to hear. “He was just happy go lucky, nobody saw it coming,” Buck said.
Which is part of the reason why Buck has some high octane advice for how America should address the issue of suicide, “All these American people with so much pride, ‘oh he’s sittin’ for a flag’ Why aren’t they posting about 22 soldiers a day. If you gave a shit, why aren’t you making donations or getting involved with 22 soldiers a day?”
“I see a lot of guys still posting stuff about Iraq, or they wear clothes like Nine Line (not putting down 9 Line .. God Bless ‘em) but these Grunt Style shirts, they’re all about them. And I’m like if you just ditched that shit, and get on with your life, and find something else that you are and be proud of … it will help you.”
Buck says the most important thing is to call your buddies. Staying connected through experiences like hunting and fishing have been some of the most effective things to help Buck stay positive.
To hear more stories about beers, buddies and what it’s like to play in front of Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson check out the full interview on VetStory