About Today’s Guest:

Jamie Mustard is the world’s leading authority on perception in the physical world.  Steeped in the worlds of technology, product engagement, and the creative arts, Jamie consults with leading companies, CEOs, creative artists, etc., getting their messages, products, brands and ideas to STAND OUT to their desired audiences.

This is the science and art of getting heard and being memorable in iconic fashion.  A graduate of the London School of Economics, Jamie’s work is an explanation of the ‘economics of attention’ based on the primal laws and neuro-scientific research on human perception called BLOCKS™, which explain why anything STANDS OUT and endures in the mind (or fails to).  In his bestselling and O.W.L  Award-winning book, The ICONIST: The Art and Science of Standing Out,  he uses case studies in business and pop culture, in addition to his extensive scientific research, to explore how BLOCKS™ solve one of our most crucial problems: Being made invisible.

He has spoken, educated and inspired others with his work ubiquitously including, Cisco, Intel, Symantec, Adidas, Pacific Northwest College of Art and TEDx . Jamie’s ICONIST work has spanned some of the world’s leading companies, technologies, artists, designers, creatives, non-profits and the globe.  In his vibrant multimedia speech presentations, he gives audiences the power of capturing attention to those who are feeling stifled by an over-messaged culture. When we can get attention at will, we can motivate and inspire others, adapt faster, get buy-in, improve organizational culture, generate demand, increase productivity and ultimately be more fulfilled as organizations and individuals.

Links Related to This Episode:

The Iconist Website 

The Iconist Book

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Duane and Shauna reflect on the themes that emerged from the collective series, which include:

• Coordination and Collaboration, featuring MSG Tom Cruz
• Public Health Approach, featuring Dr. Matt Miller 
• Risk Factors/Warning Signs featuring USMC Veteran David Bachmann
• Reaching out to support, featuring MG(R) Mark Graham
• Reducing stigma, featuring Kim Ruocco 

Other themes that emerged from the conversations include: 

• Identification of Individuals at Risk
• Data
• Research
• Lethal means
• Treatment
• Community intervention
• Suicide survivor
• Importance of connectedness

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Chris Jachimiec is a recently retired member of the United States Air Force.  Over the course of his 20 year career he served in multiple military leadership roles in Nevada, Germany and Korea and is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan.  He was named the Air Combat Command First Sergeant of the year in 2016.

In July 2017, he lost his brother, Lance Corporal Adam Jachimiec, United States Marine Corps, to suicide after a courageous battle with Post Traumatic Stress. As a Wounded Warrior himself, Chris dedicates his life to finding and utilizing multiple pathways to recovery from mental health issues, grief and trauma.  Chris is a Warrior Games Athlete and distinguished member of the Governors and Mayors Challenge teams in Nevada and Las Vegas. He has recently been named the first PREVENTS Ambassador for Nevada and is working with Senator Jacky Rosen on legislation for veterans issues.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Nevada's Mayors and Governors Challenge

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Dr. Bridget Matarazzo is a Clinical Research Psychologist and the Director of Clinical Services at VA’s Rocky Mountain MIRECC for Suicide Prevention and an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed her Pre-Doctoral Internship at the Denver VA Medical Center and obtained a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Denver in 2010. She is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Colorado.

Dr. Matarazzo is passionate about applying implementation science research to promote the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based suicide prevention strategies to enhance care for Veterans. She partners closely with colleagues in the VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to develop and implement national suicide programs and initiatives. Her team uses evidence-based implementation strategies to provide technical assistance, training and quality assurance/improvement to support these programs. One such project is VA’s Suicide Risk Identification Strategy (Risk ID), which is the nation’s largest population-based screening and evaluation initiative. Another is VA’s REACH VET program, which utilizes predictive analytics to identify and support Veterans at increased risk for suicide. 

Additionally, Dr. Matarazzo is deeply committed to supporting providers who deliver suicide prevention care to Veterans. She is Co-Director of VA’s Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program, which supports VA and community providers serving Veterans at risk for suicide. Her team provides consultation, resources and training to support those doing such incredibly important work. #NeverWorryAlone

Dr. Matarazzo’s clinical interests are in suicide risk assessment and management for Veterans at high risk for suicide and PTSD treatment as a certified Cognitive Processing Therapy provider. She is also a member of the Rocky Mountain MIRECC Training Committee and provides supervision to Post-Doctoral Fellows and Psychology Interns.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

VA’s Suicide Risk Management Consultation Program

Rocky Mountain MIRECC 

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Michael Sugrue began his law enforcement career in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Officer in 1998. As a Security Forces Officer, Michael specialized in Law Enforcement, Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Nuclear Security, Foreign Air Field Assessments and Air Base Ground Defense.

Michael served in a variety of assignments including: Flight Leader, Flight Commander, Senior Watch Officer, Chief of Command Post and Chief of Security Forces.

Michael served all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South America. He was also a Security Forces Phoenix Raven with the unique identifier of #1173. Michael honorably separated from the Air Force as a Captain in 2004.

Immediately after the Air Force, Michael was hired by the Walnut Creek Police Department where he served in a variety of assignments including: Patrol Officer, Driver Training Instructor, FieldTraining Officer, SIU Detective, Undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force Agent (Contra Costa County), Public Information Officer and Patrol Sergeant.

Michael was awarded the Walnut Creek PD Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for his heroic and life saving actions during a Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in 2012.

Michael ultimately medically retired in 2018. He is now a Peer Volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR) and an Ambassador for Save A Warrior (SAW).

Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at law enforcement agencies all over the United States.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Follow Michael on LinkedIn

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Dr. Kudler received his M.D. from Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, trained in Psychiatry at Yale and is Adjunct Associate Professor at Duke. He has received teaching awards from the Duke Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychoanalytic Association.

From 2002 to 2010, Dr. Kudler coordinated mental health services for a three state region of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and from 2000 through 2005 co-chaired VA’s Special Committee on PTSD which reports to Congress. He founded the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies’ (ISTSS) PTSD Practice Guidelines taskforce and has served on the ISTSS Board of Directors. He co-led development of the joint VA/Department of Defense Guideline for the Management of Posttraumatic Stress and serves as advisor to Sesame Street’s Talk Listen Connect series for military families.

From 2006 to 2014, he co-led the North Carolina Governor’s Focus on Returning Military Members and their Families. In 2012, he was appointed to the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. From 2004 to 2014, Dr. Kudler was Associate Director of the VA's Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) which focuses on Deployment Mental Health. From 2010 to 2013, Dr. Kudler was also Medical Lead for the VISN 6 Rural Health Initiative. In July, 2014, he joined VA Central Office in Washington DC where he serves as Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Kudler's research and background

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Danica Thomas is the widow of US Army SSG Allen Thomas. In March of 2010, her husband was severely injured in Afghanistan and brought to Walter Reed.  Danica was pregnant with their first daughter. She became a caregiver overnight and quickly learned they had a very long road to recovery. They were stationed back at Fort Bragg in August 2010, where he would rehabilitate and transition to medical retirement at the Warrior Transition Battalion and Womack. They had their first daughter in October. Danica experienced the hard trials and errors of being a new mom and caregiver, as well as Army wife. They welcomed a second daughter in the Spring of 2013. Tragically in the late Summer of 2013, her husband lost his long battle to suicide. As a widow and mother of two, she has now made it a mission to work closely within the Military community. Danica has put her heart into helping other Caregivers and Wounded Veterans like her husband.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Danica's Story: Life After Suicide

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Amy Taft is the wife of retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Ward Taft.  Together they have 2 girls and live in Jacksonville, NC.  Amy is the founder of Third Star Foundation, an organization that provides ongoing support to children who live in a house with a veteran or service member that has sustained an injury or wound as a result of their time in service.  Amy founded the organization after witnessing her own children go through drastic behavior changes after their father returned home from combat with a moderate brain injury.  Her goal is to allow children to meet other peers that have a shared experience and give them the tools they need to express their emotions in a healthy way.  Amy also wants to bring awareness to child suicide and the devestating effects that isolation has on children.  Amy spent 7 years as a classroom teacher just outside Marine Corps BaseCamp Lejeune  and currently serves as the Sr Director of Education for the COMMIT Foundation. Amy was also part of the inaugural GW Bush Institute Veteran Stand To Leadership Program.   To learn more about Third Star Foundation, email amy@thirdstarfoundation.org

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

The Third Star Foundation

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"
3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guests: 

Michael Kanaan was the first chairperson of artificial intelligence for the U.S. Air Force, Headquarters Pentagon. In that role, he authored and guided the research, development, and implementation strategies for AI technology and machine learning activities across its global operations. He is currently the Director of Operations for Air Force / MIT Artificial Intelligence. In recognition of his fast-rising career and broad influence, the author was named to the 2019 Forbes "30 Under 30" list and has received numerous other awards and prestigious honors--including the Air Force's 2018 General Larry O. Spencer Award for Innovation as well as the US Government's Arthur S. Flemming Award (an honor shared by past recipients Neil Armstrong, Robert Gates, and Elizabeth Dole). Kanaan is a graduate of the US Air Force Academy and previously led a National Intelligence Campaign for Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria and Iraq.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Air Force / MIT Artificial Intelligence Accelerator

Michael's book: T-Minus AI: Humanity’s Countdown to Artificial Intelligence and the New Pursuit of Global Power

 Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Colonel Robert “Rob” Swanson retired from active duty after serving nearly 35 years. Since retirement, he completed an Executive MBA from the Shidler School of Business and has been actively involved as keynote speaker, senior mentor and advisor for the award-winning Fight For Each Other suicide prevention program in Hawaii.

Prior to retirement, Colonel Swanson was Chief, Weather Strategic Plans and Interagency Integration Division, Directorate of Weather, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. The Division plans weather, climate and space environmental support for the Air Force Weather functional area and oversees integration of technology and weather into C4I and modeling systems.

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

USAF Article on Personal Resiliency

Task and Purpose Article 

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.
4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guests: 

Kim Donohue has worked for the Nevada Department fo Veteran Services as the Suicide and Homelessness Prevention Program Manager and Organizational Integrator since January 2018. Kim has been actively participating in the SAMHSA Mayor's Challenge Teams, which is a suicide prevention initiative that fights against suicide among service members, veterans, and their families since the inauguration in January 2018. In December of 2018, Governor Sisolak designated Kim to lead the Governors Challenge team and continue efforts towards preventing suicide on a state-wide level. 

Prior to working for NDVS, she taught early childhood education. Kim spent over five years living in Ireland and Great Britain, establishing European offices in England and the Middle East for an International Engineering Software Company. 

 Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Nevada Mayor's and Governor's Challenge to Prevent Veteran Suicide

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guests: 

David Bachmann is a Marine Corps Infantry combat veteran. He served with E Co, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines  from 2001-2005.  After being discharged from the Marine Corps he began to ride and build motorcycles. He currently resides in Texas where he raises cattle and Quarter horses. David is active in an ongoing healing movement developed by Marines that brings the Tribe of veterans together throughout the year for warrior reunions. He has also been an invited suicide prevention speaker at Marine reunions.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Article highlighting USMC Peer Support Retreats

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Dr. Jeffrey Allen Smith, PhD: Dr. Smith is an Associate Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department at the University of Hawaii at Hilo.  He has published historical analyses of military mental health, psychology, and suicide in academic journals and commentaries on his research in the New York Times, Time, and Washington Post; and has been quoted in U.S. News & World Report, NBC News, Reuters, Stars and Stripes, and other media outlets.

Dr. Michael Doidge, PhD: Dr. Doidge Dr. Doidge is a contract historian working for the Department of Defense, where he writes on the history of U.S. military medicine. His work on the history of suicide in the military has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Washington Post. The views expressed are the author’s alone and do not represent the official position of the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

JAMA Journal Article on Historical Aspects of Military Suicide

Visual Chart: Suicides Rates Among Active-Duty Personnel in the US Army, 1843-2017

Washington Post article: Can historical analysis help reduce military deaths by suicide?

Military Times article: Historic data on military suicide shows no clear link with combat operations

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Scott Perry was elected as the U.S. Representative of the 4th Congressional District (York, Adams and Cumberland Counties) in 2013. He earned re-election in 2018, and due to congressional redistricting, now serves the 10th Congressional District (Dauphin, Cumberland and York Counties). Congressman Perry presently serves on the House Committees on Transportation & Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs. He previously served three terms as a State Representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Scott began his military career in 1980. He attended basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, and graduated Advanced Individual Training at Fort Belvoir, VA, as a technical drafting specialist. He graduated as the president of his Officer Candidate School class, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch. He soon branch-transferred to Army Aviation, where he earned qualifications in almost every rotary-wing aircraft in the Army inventory (Huey, Cayuse, Kiowa, Cobra, Chinook, Apache and Blackhawk), and the Instructor Pilot rating. Scott commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels; notably, Lieutenant Colonel Perry commanded the 2-104th General Support Aviation Battalion, which deployed to Iraq from 2009-2010, and during which he flew 44 combat missions. In 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Colonel, and became Commander of the Fort Indiantown Gap National Training Site. Scott was selected for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General in 2014, and was honored to serve as the Assistant Division Commander of the 28th Infantry Division – the Army’s oldest, actively-serving Division. After serving in his final military position as Assistant Adjutant General, Joint Forces Headquarters, Pennsylvania National Guard, Perry retired on 1 March 2019, after nearly 40 years in uniform. Scott is a graduate of the US Army War College, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Scott’s service to the community has included serving as the chairman of the Carroll Township Planning Commission, and as a member of the township Source Water Protection Committee. He was chairman of the Dillsburg Area Wellhead Protection Advisory Committee and he served on the Dillsburg Revitalization Committee. He was active in the Jaycees and was the regional director for the state organization. He’s a member of Dillsburg Legion Post #26, Dillsburg VFW Post #6771, Lions Club International, Army Aviation Association of America, the NRA, and numerous other associations.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Congressman Perry's Web Site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Peter M. Gutierrez, Ph.D. is a licensed Clinical Psychologist at the VA VISN 19 Mental Illness Research Education Clinical Center (MIRECC). Dr. Gutierrez's clinical training was in child and adolescent psychology, with an emphasis on serious psychopathology and suicide. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He has been studying suicide, focusing on screening, assessment, and intervention for over 20 years.

Dr. Gutierrez is a Past-President of the American Association of Suicidology (AAS). He was the 2005 recipient of the AAS Shneidman Award for outstanding contributions in research in suicidology and the 2014 recipient of the Roger J. Tierney Award for Service. He is an Associate Editor for the journal Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, a consulting editor for Archives of Suicide Research, and regularly reviews for other psychology, psychiatry, and specialty journals. Dr. Gutierrez is a member of the MIRECC psychology fellowship training committee, provides supervision and mentoring for psychology pre-doctoral interns, and MIRECC psychology fellows. He has provided numerous VA trainings and conference presentations on issues related to clinical care of Veterans at high risk of suicide, the interplay of TBI, PTSD and suicide, and related topics.

Dr. Gutierrez is co-Director, with Dr. Thomas Joiner at Florida State University, of the DOD funded Military Suicide Research Consortium. He and Dr. Joiner are joint recipients of the 2018 Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS) Outstanding Research Accomplishment (Team/Academia) Award and the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 19 Society of Military Psychology’s 2018 Charles C. Gersoni Military Psychology Award. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Rocky Mountain MIRECC Home Page

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia is the former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and was the senior non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Armed Forces.  In this role, he served as the principal military advisor to the Chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel.

The first Marine to be appointed Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman, Battaglia served as the most senior ranking non-commissioned officer of the United States Armed Forces and principal military advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Generals Martin Dempsey and Joseph Dunford, and to Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, and Ashton Carter on all matters involving the joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force and joint development for enlisted personnel and families.

Battaglia was honorably retired from the United States Marines on 31 August 2016, having served nearly 37 years of active duty service.

Read more about Sergeant Major Battaglia's service here 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Total Force Fitness Framework

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guests: 

Michael Richardson: As the independence services and mental health vice president for the Wounded Warrior Project®(WWP), Michael Richardson is responsible for the Independence Program (IP) and Long-Term Support Trust (LTST), as well as the Combat Stress Recovery Program (CSRP).

Michael began his military service in 1981 as a 17-year-old private and retired 32 years later in 2013 as a medical service corps lieutenant colonel. During Michael’s career, he had numerous combat and operational deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, Kosovo, and Bosnia. Of note, during his last 15-month deployment to Iraq, Michael served as the Iraq theatre medical regulating officer and was responsible for the coordination of all patient movement within and departing from Iraq.

Michael holds a master’s degree in public administration (health) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a bachelor’s in economics from the University of Hawaii. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife, Beth, who is an active-duty military police officer. 

Dr. Roger Brooks: Roger Brooks is a Senior Program Initiatives and Integration Specialist of Mental Health at Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP). He received his undergraduate degree from the University of the Incarnate Word and his graduate degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Roger previously served as the chief clinical officer for a mental health facility. He has also served as the co-director for a trauma studies program and director for the Laboratories for the Psychological research of Ethno-cultural aspects of Trauma.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

WWP's Warrior Care Network 

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"
3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.
4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Joseph Bartozzi is the President and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearm and ammunition industry, as well as the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, the standard setting organization for the firearm and ammunition industry.

Joe is an attorney licensed to practice in Connecticut and Maine, and also is a licensed member of the bar of the United States Supreme court. In addition, he serves on the board of Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

NSSF Suicide Prevention Web Page

Safe Firearm Storage Toolkit

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.
4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:
 

Matt Mishkind, PhD, has focused his career on two focal points: military health care and organizational development. He began his military health career with the Deployment Health Clinical Center (DHCC) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He also served as one of the original staff members tasked with developing the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington State. While at T2, Dr. Mishkind helped lead the development of several technology-based initiatives to improve behavioral health access across the Department of Defense. His particular focus was on developing telehealth programs for remote and otherwise isolated populations. Both DHCC and T2 are part of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE).

Dr. Mishkind has 20 publications primarily focused on improving access to behavioral health care for military populations. He is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources. Dr. Mishkind has also held positions focused on organizational development. Most recently, he served as team lead for training and human capital initiatives at the Bureau of Reclamation within the United States Department of Interior.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Johnson Depression Center

Defense Health Agency Connected Health

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Michelle Villarreal Zook is currently an economics impact researcher evaluating programs within the federal government. She previously served as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, flying as an air battle manager with the 960th Air Command and Control Squadron out of Tinker Air Force Base, OK.  As squadron executive officer and chief of the orderly room, she oversaw all administrative and personnel requirements for an operational line squadron of 300 officers and enlisted personnel in theater critical operations, leading a team of nine airmen in over 30 organizational programs, and advising command staff. Additionally, she served as 552d Operations Group executive officer, working on a team to assist the group commander and four deputy group commanders in leading and directing mission essential operations for 1200 personnel.

After leaving the Air Force, she earned her Master of Arts in Public Policy and joined the district staff of then freshman Congressman John Ratcliffe. As his constituent services manager and veterans’ affairs policy lead, she led a casework team for over 100 federal agencies, ensuring the more than 735,000 constituents of Texas’s Fourth District received representation and any benefits they were entitled to. She also provided recommendations to the legislative director regarding veterans and defense legislative matters, while managing the congressman’s service academy selection board and serving as the district’s federal disaster response coordinator. Despite all this and being selected for the Bush Institute’s Inaugural Veterans Leadership Program, her two children still feel the need to backseat drive and tell her she’s doing everything wrong. In her spare time, she runs, reads too many mystery novels, coaches girls’ lacrosse, scribbles in notebooks, yells at the Dallas Stars (particularly Jamie Benn), and nags her kids to clean their rooms.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Michelle on LinkeIn

Michelle's Women Veteran Authors project

Redefine Your Mission Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Akshay Nanavati is a Marine veteran, speaker, adventurer and entrepreneur. His new book "Fearvana" is an actionable guide on how to leverage fear to accomplish anything. The Dalai Lama said “Fearvana inspires us to look beyond our own agonizing experiences and find the positive side of our lives.”

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Fearvana Web Site

Fearvana Book on Amazon
Responding to Grief and Trauma course on PsychArmor

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Rick Trimp, MBA, is an experienced health and education executive. He leads LivingWorks with a vision of community-based health impact made possible through layered, integrated training programs combined with transformative technology.

Prior to joining LivingWorks, Rick led the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)’s School of Health and Life Sciences as Dean. Before that, he provided executive leadership to Alberta Health Services, Canada’s first and largest province-wide health service, first as Vice President of Province-Wide Clinical Support Programs and Services and then as Interim President and CEO.

Rick began his career as a physical therapy technician with the United States Navy and went on to work in healthcare operations throughout Canada and the United States. His focus on fostering and expanding strategic partnerships has enabled him to draw communities and partner organizations together to magnify their health and education impacts. Rick is passionate about suicide prevention and establishing grassroots, community-based approaches that create lasting changes in population health.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

LivingWorks Suicide Prevention and Intervention Training Website

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Mr. Tony Kurta performed the duties of Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Mr. Tony Kurta assumed the duties of Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy on September 8, 2014.

A member of the Senior Executive Service, he was responsible for recruiting, retention, compensation, travel, and the related human resource management for the 1.4 million Active Duty military members of the U .S. Armed Services

A native of Columbia Falls, Montana, he graduated with merit from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1981, earned an M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, is a distinguished graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, and was a National Security Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 

Mr. Kurta’s career includes over 32 years on active duty as a Navy Surface Warfare Officer, during which he commanded USS Sentry (MCM 3), USS Guardian (MCM 5), USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Carney (DDG 64), Destroyer Squadron Two Four and Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). As CJTF-HOA, his command included Active and Reserve officers and enlisted, Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, Special Operations, National Guard, inter-agency and coalition personnel.  Shore assignments included: Chief, Special Actions Division on the Joint Staff; Director, Surface Officer Distribution Division (Pers-41) at the Navy Personnel Command; Director for Policy, Resources and Strategy for U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa; and Director, Military Personnel Policy (N13) on the OPNAV Staff.  Mr. Kurta retired from the Navy in 2013 as a Rear Admiral.

He has also served as a Senior Leader in the Department of the Navy from December 2013 through September 2014 as the Director of Navy Flag Officer Management and Development where he was responsible for flag officer community management and executive development. 

His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medals, Legions of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, and various other awards and unit commendations.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Rear Admiral Kurta's LinkedIn Profile

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Tom Cruz is an Active Duty Master Sergeant in the United States Army with over 25 years of service.  He has deployed in support of Operation Joint Guardian, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Jordan.  He has lived experience with suicide prevention and awareness resulting from an attempt in 2010 to take his life.  Since his attempt, he became a huge advocate of more awareness and prevention for Veterans.  Tom has taken his skills to social media, where he assisted in pioneering two organizations to identify and assist Veterans with mental health issues, suicidal ideations, relationship issues, financial concerns and other Veteran specific issues.  With his own recovery breaking the stigma within the military on career status, family life and security clearance myths, he has pushed to bring holistic means to Veterans to the road of recovery.

Tom has been widely sought by military units, military bases, DoD organizations, National Suicide Organizations and the White House for his expertise on Veterans issues and social media.  He is Master Resilience Trained Level One, an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Instructor, Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trained, and an Army Suicide Intervention (SI) trainer.  He is also the Program Director for Suicide and Awareness with Veterans Counseling Veterans, advisor to Animal Rescue & Veteran Support Services, panel member of Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research with University of South Florida, and subject matter expert with White House and Office of the Surgeon General. Tom received the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) 2017 Voice Award Consumer/Peer/Family Leadership Award for his work to ensure America’s military and veteran communities have access to the mental health and substance use treatment and services they deserve

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Tom Cruz on Twitter

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest: 

Mathew “Frag-o” Bergendahl, MS, NCC, LPC graduated from South Dakota State University with a Masters Degree in Counseling in the Agency Setting back in 2015. Prior, he earned his Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Blackhills State University. Mathew is a former Air Force Security Forces member enlisting from 1999-2005 and spent his enlistment being deployed to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq.

Mathew started working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010 as an Office Manager for the Rapid City, SD Vet Center and was promoted to Readjustment Counseling Therapist once he completed his Masters degree. Mathew currently holds a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of South Dakota, and is a member of the National Board of Certified Counselors. Mathew started donating his time to Stack Up as a Therapeutic adviser for the Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP) early this year and currently serves as the Overwatch Program Manager.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

StackUp.org

StackUp Overwatch Program (StOP)

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., named to TIME magazine’s 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the president of Give an Hour. A licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the Washington, D.C., area for over 20 years, she received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1991. Concerned about the mental health implications of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Van Dahlen founded Give an Hour in 2005 to enlist mental health professionals to provide free services to U.S. troops, veterans, their loved ones, and their communities.

Working with other nonprofit leaders, Dr. Van Dahlen developed the Community Blueprint, a national initiative and online tool to assist communities in more effectively and strategically supporting veterans and military families. Give an Hour has implemented the Blueprint approach in two demonstration sites and continues to lead community collaboration projects.

In June of 2019, she was named the Executive Director of the Task Force to create the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS).

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

PREVENTS Web Site

Public Health Approach Overview 

PREVENTS Road Map

Within REACH Public Awareness Campaign

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Sue joined Combat Stress in 2016 as the first female Chief Executive in the charity’s 100-year history. Since her arrival, the charity has increased its profile and contributes actively to veterans’ mental health and particularly military trauma healthcare. Sue has set out a new strategic direction in the face of growing demand for military trauma treatment and a changing NHS landscape.

Sue joined Combat Stress following a decade as Director of Welfare and latterly Director of Operations at The Royal British Legion (TRBL). At TRBL she commissioned the first UK veterans’ population mapping studies and initiated and led the early stages of the Armed Forces Covenant campaign and a string of other successful parliamentary policy campaigns.  During her 10-year tenure she transformed TRBL's service footprint across UK, opened its 16 high street Pop In Centres and tripled its services. Prior to joining TRBL she held a series of leadership roles at Scope, the UK cerebral palsy charity including a year's secondment to Department of Health on a community care task force preparing local councils for implementing the 2001 Health & Community Care Act.

Sue has served on MoD and NHSE committees and was a Cobseo Non-Executive Director representing Combat Stress. She is currently serving on a steering group board of a veterans’ sector emerging leaders programme hosted by Clore Social and Forces in Mind Trust.  She also serves as a consortia member on the Veterans’ Gateway Strategy Board. Sue is a former lay member on NHS England Armed Forces Clinical Reference Group, partner member of MoD Defence Recovery Partnership Board, Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League Welfare Committee, World Veterans Association Medical Advisory Committee and trustee of several veterans’ charities.

Sue holds a BA Hons from Exeter University and an MBA from Aston Business School and is EQM qualified.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Combat Stress.org Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

He was detailed to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) from 2010-2016 as the Chief of USCG’s Behavioral Health Services. Prior to that, he was the principal advisor in the Office of Health Affairs to senior leadership at the Department of Homeland Security on resilience and behavioral health policies across the organization.

CAPT Kleiman is a commissioned officer in the United States Public Health Service. He began his active duty career over 20 years ago as an Air Force clinical social worker.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

National Guard Warrior Resilience and Fitness Division

Response/Recovery (RE) Leadership Integrated Engagement Framework (RELIEF)

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Tina Atherall, DSW, LMSW, brings to PsychArmor her vast experience and leadership in the military non-profit community and academia. In 2006, she co-founded Hope For The Warriors, an organization dedicated to serving combat wounded servicemembers and their families. Scaling a grass-roots effort to a national platform, she worked extensively with various levels of military leadership, agencies, corporations, and communities educating and advocating for critical support for those who have served and their families. She has embedded her career in the field of social work innovation and leadership and obtained her Doctor of Social Work (DSW) from the University of Southern California. Her recent work focuses on the 12 Grand Challenges for Social Work to eradicate social isolation specifically the challenges of military family social isolation. As an adjunct faculty, her love for PsychArmor began while utilizing the PAI educational videos to enhance teaching social work practice with military and their families to Masters of Social Work students in New York City.

As PsychArmor’s new CEO, Tina will continue the mission of bridging the military-civilian divide. She has fresh ideas to strengthen PsychAmor’s pivotal role as the “go to” place for employers, healthcare providers, educators, volunteers, municipalities, service providers, government workers, caregivers and communities to learn about how to better serve our military Veterans.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

PsychArmor Institute Suicide Training Portfolio

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Dr. Karin A. Orvis, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of the Defense Suicide Prevention Office in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. In this capacity, Dr. Orvis is responsible for policy, oversight, and advocacy of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) suicide prevention programs. Her current portfolio spans the full spectrum of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention efforts including policy, program development and evaluation, data surveillance, research, and outreach and engagement. In this position, and in her prior DoD roles, she strategically leads multidisciplinary, interservice/interagency teams in designing, implementing, and evaluating DoD-wide policies and programs in support of over 2M service members and over 2.5M military family members worldwide.

Dr. Orvis brings nearly 20 years of progressively broader experience spanning the federal government, academia, and private sector. Prior to her current assignment, Dr. Orvis served as the Acting Principal Director of Military Community and Family Policy, where she was responsible for the policy, oversight, and advocacy of military community quality-of-life programs for service members and their families. Dr. Orvis also previously served as the Director of the Transition to Veterans Program Office, where she was instrumental in redesigning the DoD Transition Assistance Program, which ensures that service members are ‘career ready’ and prepared to transition from active duty to civilian life.

Other prior DoD positions include the Director of Evaluation and Assessment for the Transition to Veterans Program Office and the Program Manager of the Basic Research program at the U.S. Army Research Institute. Dr. Orvis transitioned to the federal government after spending four years as a University Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University. Dr. Orvis has also worked with the private sector on programs related to employee training, leader development, staffing, and organizational effectiveness. Her work has been published in journals such as Leadership Quarterly, Military Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Business and Psychology, and the International Journal of Training and Development.

Dr. Orvis holds a Doctorate and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Michigan State University. She has received various awards throughout her career including the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service, Office of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence, Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and American Society for Training and Development Dissertation Award.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Defense Suicide Prevention Office Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Betsey Mercado became involved in Objective Zero after seeing the positive influence that intervention had on veterans in crisis. Betsey has committed herself to making a difference in the lives of Soldiers, veterans, and their families. Her experience working with military spouses and leading multiple Family Readiness Groups supporting active duty units gives her a unique perspective that she brings to the Objective Zero team. She volunteers her time to assist with development of the Objective Zero mobile app, maintain the website, and manage Objective Zero’s administration. Betsey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Objective Zero Foundation Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Her TEDx speeches provide a glimpse into Dr. Kate’s unique ability to make science accessible and actionable for everyday audiences.

Dr. Kate’s background as an academic researcher, storyteller, and U.S. Marine Corps veteran positions her to communicate credibly to a variety of audiences.

She is a writer and researcher at heart, and has authored over 100 scientific publications and presentations. Her behavioral health research, published in journals like Best Practices in Mental Health, the Journal of Environmental Psychology, and Military Behavioral Health, has been praised as “masterful” and “constructive.” She writes for a diverse array of popular blogs and newspapers – her social commentary has been featured on NPR and BBC and published in The Hill and in The Washington Post.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Hendricks-Thomas' Web site

Invisible Veterans: What Happens When Military Women Become Civilians Again

Stopping Military Suicides: Veteran Voices to Prevent Deaths

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Major General (retired) Mark Graham is currently serving as the Senior Director, Rutgers UBHC National Call Center. Included in his duties is Director, Vets4Warriors and several other programs. MG Graham retired from the US Army on August 1, 2012 after almost thirty-five years of service. His final position was as the Director (G-3/5/7) U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In this position, he oversaw the plans, operations and training for Army forces (active and reserve component) stationed in the Continental United States and ensured conventional forces were prepared for worldwide deployment and combat.

MG Graham and his wife, Carol, are tireless champions of military and civilian efforts to promote mental health and suicide-prevention awareness, and to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health care. To honor the memory of their sons, 2LT Jeff Graham who was killed by an IED in Iraq in February 2004, and their son Kevin a Senior Army ROTC cadet who died by suicide in June 2003 while studying to be an Army Doctor at the University of Kentucky, the Grahams established the Jeffrey C. and Kevin A. Graham Memorial Fund to provide the “Question, Persuade, Refer” suicide prevention program at the University of Kentucky. The Grahams were instrumental in establishing the Jeffrey and Kevin Graham Memorial Endowed Lectureship in Psychology for the study of depression and suicide prevention at Cameron University, in Lawton, Oklahoma. Additionally, they support the ongoing efforts of the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership, Colorado Springs, Colorado (El Paso County), through the “Jeffrey and Kevin Graham Support Services”. The Graham’s story is featured in the award-winning book, “The Invisible Front: Loss and Love in an Era of Endless War”, by Yochi Dreazen.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Vets4Warriors Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Before joining Psych Hub, Dr. Franklin served as a senior executive at both the Department of Veteran Affairs and the Department of Defense. In these roles, Dr. Franklin served as the principal advisor to Department leadership for all matters on suicide prevention, and she is widely credited with leading a transformative, enterprise-wide shift from a crisis intervention posture to an upstream, broad public policy approach focused on continuous surveillance and early prevention. Dr. Franklin was also responsible for leading a multi-disciplined team of experts in advancing evidence-based prevention practices for over 20 million Veterans and reaching our Nation’s heroes wherever they live, work, thrive, and receive care. A poised and articulate communicator of strategic messaging, Dr. Franklin has been frequently asked to testify before committees in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and led numerous caucus roundtable discussions with members of Congress.

While serving as a senior executive within the Department of Defense, Dr. Franklin was responsible for suicide prevention policy, programs, and oversight. During her tenure, she conducted a first-of-its-kind comprehensive, program review and authored new DoD policy directives and instructions, optimizing higher headquarter guidance for all military service branches. She also chaired several DoD senior leader committees charged with developing solutions for vexing mental health issues impacting our service members and their families.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Psych Hub

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

SMSgt Erin Esquer serves as the First Sergeant for the 74th Aerial Port Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland, Texas. SGMSgt Esquer is the advisor to the Commander, providing guidance for all enlisted matters concerning morale, fitness, and the welfare of unit members. 

SGMSgt Esquer entered the Air Force in November 2007 and graduated from the Health Services Management Apprentice Course at Shephard Air Force Base Texas in March 2008. She deployed in support of ENDURING FREEDOM as Duty Controller with the 775th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation flight (EAEF) as well as the 10th Expeditionary Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron (EAES). She also deployed as a First Sergeant for the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron (ELRS). Prior to her current position as First Sergeant, SMSgt Esquer was a Health Services Management Craftsman (4A071) for the 349th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Travis AFB, CA. 

SMSgt Esquer also serves the United States Air Force as a civilian for the 349th Air Mobility Wing, working as the Wing Exercise Program Manager for the Inspector General Inspections team at Travis AFB, CA. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Veteran Voices Local Television Show on Facebook

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

As the former director of the RAND Center for Military Health Policy Research, she spent a decade overseeing RAND’s diverse military health research portfolio. She was the co–study director for a large, non-governmental assessment of the psychological, emotional, and cognitive consequences of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan entitled Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery. She was also the co-director for RAND’s study Hidden Heroes: America’s Military Caregivers, the first representative study of military caregiving in the United States.

Tanielian has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and reports. She was a member of the planning committee for the 18th, 22nd, and 26th Annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, which focused on mental health needs and recovery following September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively. She serves on the National Academy of Medicine’s Standing Committee on Health Threats and Resilience. She earned her M.A. in psychology from American University.

Read more about Terri Here

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Terri’s Email Address: TerriT@rand.org

Rand publications on military, veteran, and family member mental health

Rand publications on suicide prevention

Terri's congressional testimony

Terri Tanielian on Twitter

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Sarah and Mike Verardo have become a national face for severely wounded combat Veterans andtheir Caregivers. They’ve appeared on numeroustelevision programs and news outlets over the past several years to push for Veterans Affairs healthcare reform.

Sarah has dedicated her life to both the care and recovery of her husband, and supporting Caregivers and our wounded heroes nationwide. She is a national spokesperson for Caregivers in the country, serving as an Alumni Fellow with the Elizabeth Dole

Foundation. She also has a significant background in both public relations and fundraising, and is a respected national voice, regularly featured on conservative national programs and talk shows. She continues her service through The Independence Fund as a highly effective advocate for Veterans and Caregivers, working directly with members of the United States House and Senate.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

The Independence Fund

Operation Resiliency

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

America's Warrior Partnership

Operation Deep Dive

Bob Woodruff Foundation COVID19 Impact Study

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Kim Ruocco, MSW, the Vice President of Suicide Prevention and Postvention for TAPS, is an internationally known subject matter expert who uses her education, personal experience and information gathered from thousands of survivors to help others more fully understand suicide. Over the past decade, Ms. Ruocco has developed a best-practice, comprehensive, peer-based program that offers comfort and care to all those who are grieving the loss of a service member to suicide. In addition to her postvention work, Ms. Ruocco contributes to suicide prevention efforts in military as well as civilian organizations.  She holds a B.A. in Human Services and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from Boston University. She is the surviving widow of Marine Corps Major John Ruocco, who died by suicide in 2005.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors

TAPS Suicide Postvention Program

The following two 90-minute Postvention courses can be viewed for free thanks to funding from the Boeing Foundation:

Suicide, Grief, and Trauma - Supporting Veterans and Families of the Fallen

Grief to Growth: A Roadmap to a Healthy Grief Journey

The following three courses are free to access courtesy of the NFL Foundation

Postvention: Healing After Suicide Loss

Finding Stability After Suicide Loss

Grief and Trauma

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:

Dr. Nicholas (Nick) Polizzi is the Governmental Action Officer for the inTransition program and the Real Warriors Campaign at the Defense Health Agency’s Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE). Prior to joining the PHCoE in April 2019, Dr. Polizzi served as the lead clinical trainer and primary contract support for Navy Medicine’s Behavioral Health Integration Program (BHIP). Prior to this, Dr. Polizzi served as the Deputy Chief Psychologist at the DoD’s Deployment Health Clinical Center’s Primary Care Behavioral Health Directorate where he provided tri-service integrated care support. From 2010-2013 Dr. Polizzi helped to stand up the Navy BHIP program while providing subject matter expertise to Navy Medicine’s Wounded, ILL & Injured program. Dr. Polizzi earned his doctorate of philosophy and Master’ degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Georgia, a Master’s of Education from Marymount University, and a bachelor’s of arts from Washington & Lee University. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Real Warriors Campaign Web site

inTransition Program

Real Warriors on Facebook

Real Warriors on Twitter

Real Warriors on YouTube

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:

Mark Divine is a retired Navy SEAL Commander, New York Times Best-Selling Author, Founder / CEO of SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind, founder of multiple million-dollar businesses, lifetime Martial Artist, Ashtanga Yoga teacher, and host of the Unbeatable Mind podcast

At twenty-six he graduated as Honor Man (#1-ranked trainee) of SEAL BUD/S class number 170. Mark served for nine years total on active duty and eleven as a Reserve SEAL, retiring as Commander in 2011.  His leadership of teams was so effective the government tasked him with creating a nationwide mentoring program for SEAL trainees.  Not only did it increase the quality of SEAL candidates, it reduced BUD/S attrition rate up to five percent.

Through Mark’s teaching, entrepreneurial endeavors and travel to foreign countries, he noticed the power of mental toughness, emotional resilience, intuitive leadership and a healthy spirit for anyone wanting breakthrough performance.  They weren’t solely for combat or restricted to the business world or one culture.  He’d watch them transform lives in people from every background, nation and belief system.  So he wrote and self-published his first book, Unbeatable Mind, in 2011 and launched its at-home study program.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Unbeatable Mind Podacast

Commander Divine's Author Page on Amazon

Courage Foundation Web site

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:

Howard Somers, M.D., and Jean Somers, are the parents of CA Army National Guard SGT Daniel Somers.  Daniel took his life in June, 2013, after suffering for nearly a decade with Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and Gulf War Syndrome subsequent to serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Daniel’s condition was exacerbated by his experiences with the Phoenix VA Mental Health Department.  He left an eloquent and heart breaking suicide note.

Since Daniel’s death, Jean and Howard have dedicated themselves to improving the care that the VA provides to our Veterans, especially in the area of Mental Health. They have developed initiatives to improve the transition process and increase general awareness among our service members “support network.” The idea for Operation Engage America is based on their own experiences with locating resources to help themselves and Daniel through the military-to-civilian transition experience and realizing that many other veterans and their families had similar problems.  Howard and Jean have met with leaders in the VA, Executive Branch, Congress and the Department of Defense, and have testified before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Howard was born and raised in NYC, and practiced urology in Phoenix for 28 years.  Jean who is from Canton, Ohio, is a paralegal and worked in the financial side of healthcare for 30 years.  She was Howard’s practice manager for the last 12 years of their careers.  They currently reside in the San Diego area.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Operation Engage America 

Howard and Jean on Twitter

Howard and Jean's testimony before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:

Rajeev Ramchand, PhD is the inaugural Craig Newmark Fellow at the Bob Woodruff Foundation. He comes to the Foundation after serving as Senior Vice President for Research at the Cohen Veterans Network where he established the organization’s research agenda and laid the foundation for conducting research within the network.

Prior to CVN, he worked for 12 years as a behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. At RAND, he conducted research on an array of topics including military and veteran mental health, military and veteran caregivers, adolescent delinquency, the impact of disasters on community health, and violent extremism. He has also conducted many studies on suicide and suicide prevention in military, veteran, and civilian populations. This includes epidemiologic studies on risk factors for suicide, evaluations of suicide prevention programs, environmental scans of organizational responses to suicides, and has developed tools to help organizations to evaluate their own programs. While at RAND, he received two RAND Gold Medal Awards for his research on suicide prevention and one Presidential Award, RAND’s highest honor, for his work on military and veteran caregivers.

Dr. Ramchand has authored nearly 100 peer-reviewed publications. His research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Justice, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and private foundations. He has been interviewed by and published op-eds in various media outlets and has provided expert testimony before the United States Congress and California State Senate.

Dr. Ramchand received his B.A. in economics from the University of Chicago and his Ph.D. in psychiatric epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Bob Woodruff Foundation

Research articles published by Dr. Ramchand

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

About Today’s Guest:

Kacie Kelly oversees and manages policy, operational, and programmatic efforts on veteran health and well-being for the George W. Bush Institute Military Service Initiative, which includes the Warrior Wellness Alliance.  She manages strategic efforts to promote the partnerships, collaboration, and alignment among organizations that are so crucial to fostering the health and well-being of post-9/11 Veterans.

Prior to this role, Kacie served as the National Director for Public-Private Partnerships in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office for Suicide Prevention where she was responsible for developing a comprehensive and integrated public health approach to prevent suicide among the 14 million Veterans not engaged in VA healthcare. Throughout her 15-year career with VA, she led innovative programs to serve more Veterans and their families through strategic partnerships within government and across public and private sectors.  In addition, she has had leading roles to promote military culture competence in the community, outreach efforts to reduce stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare, and to enhance provider proficiency in evidence-based mental health care.  She earned her Master of Health Sciences (MHS) at Louisiana State University and has a Graduate Certificate in Women in Public Policy and Politics from the University of Massachusetts - Boston. Kacie has also been an active volunteer in the New Orleans community where she served as a Commissioner on the BioDistrict Board of New Orleans and on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Warrior Wellness Alliance

Beyond war and PTSD: The crucial role of transition stress in the lives of military veterans

Kacie Kelly on Twitter

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Episode Transcript:

Duane France (00:00):

Welcome to episode eight of the Seeking the Military Suicide Solution podcast brought to you by the military times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer (00:07):

And I'm Doc Shauna Springer.

Kacie Kelly (00:09):

And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd also like to thank our sponsors, milMedia Group. milMedia Group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at www.milmediagroup.com.

Duane France (00:36):

Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Do you want more folks to find the show? Make sure to give us an honest rating and review on your podcast player of choice. We'd also like you to join our Facebook group moderated by fellow combat veteran Dee James. You can find the group and the show notes by searching for Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook. As we continue this series looking at suicide in the military affiliated population, we want to highlight a number of groups that are working to bring folks together in collaboration. That's what our guest today is talking about. Shauna, what can you tell us about today's guest?

Shauna Springer (01:11):

Yes, Kacie Kelly has spent 17 years working in the field of suicide prevention. While she was at the VA, she spearheaded efforts to disseminate cognitive processing therapy and prolonged exposure therapy throughout the VA system. Efforts which led to the training of 20,000 mental health professiona...

About Today’s Guest:

Kayla M. Williams is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at Center for a New American Security. She previously served as Director of the Center for Women Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she was primary adviser to the Secretary on department policies, programs, and legislation affecting women veterans. Kayla spent eight years at RAND researching servicemember and veteran health needs and benefits, international security, and intelligence policy. 

Ms. Williams was enlisted for five years as an Arabic linguist, serving in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). She authored the memoirs Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army and Plenty of Time When We Get Home: Love and Recovery in the Aftermath of War. Kayla graduated cum laude with a BA in Literature from Bowling Green State University and earned an MA in International Affairs from American University. She is a member of the Department of Labor Advisory Committee on Veterans’ Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach; a former member of the Army Education Advisory Committee and VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans; and a 2013 White House Woman Veteran Champion of Change.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

CNAS State Veteran Benefit Finder

VA Vet Center Locator

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Episode Transcript:

Duane France (00:00):

Welcome to episode seven of the Seeking the Military Suicide Solution podcast brought to you by the Military Times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer (00:07):

And I'm Doc Shauna Springer.

Duane France (00:09):

And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd also like to thank our sponsors, milMedia Group. milMedia Group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at www.milmediagroup.com.

Duane France (00:37):

Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to a conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Really appreciate how people have started to find the show and share it. If you want more folks to find the show, make sure to give us an honest rating and review on your podcast player of choice. We'd also like you to join our Facebook group moderated by fellow combat veteran Dee James. You can find the group in the show notes or by searching, "Seeking the Military Suicide Solution" on Facebook. And one of the things that we've heard is that a lot of listeners don't just want to hear from mental health professionals and today's guest isn't, but she has a lot of expertise when it comes to this subject. Shauna, what can you tell us about today's guest?

Shauna Springer (01:14):

Yes, so Kayla Williams is an Iraq war veteran who serves as Director of the Military Veterans in Society program at Center for a New American Security. I asked Kayla why suicide matters to her on a personal level, and she said this: when she was in Iraq, a woman in her unit died by suicide. She and this soldier had just spoken a few days before the death. Like many leaders who care about their soldiers, Kayla spent a lot of time wondering whether she missed the signs or could have said or done anything different that might've encouraged her fellow soldier to get help. She also shared that she has struggled with suicidal ideation herself on more than one occasion and also with trying to find the right response when her husband, another veteran, has expressed similar feelings. Kayla is an elegant writer who has given deep thought to this topic. We're happy to host her on today's episode.

Duane France (02:09):

Yes, the lived experience. We've also often talked about the fact that those of us who served have a number and that number is the number that we have lost to suicide. And sometimes that number is bigger even than the number of people that we lost in combat. And that's going to continue to grow. So I really appreciate Kayla's transparency and vulnerability and we'll get into the conversation. We'll come back afterwards to pull out some of the key points.

Duane France (02:45):

As a combat veteran yourself as a veteran spouse, dual military and all the work that you've done really over the last 15 years, from your point of view, what have you seen that is effective when it comes to ending in the military population?

Kayla Willi...

Joseph R. Chenelly was appointed national executive director of the nation’s fourth largest veterans service organization in May 2016. In this capacity, he administers the policies of AMVETS, supervises its national headquarters operations and provides direction, as needed, to state and local components. Joe previously served as AMVETS’ national communications director.

Joe Chenelly is the first veteran of combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq to lead one of the nation’s four largest veterans service organizations’ staffs.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Joe enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998, serving with the 1st Marine Division, and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant in April 2006. He is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, having served in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Kuwait, East Timor and the Horn of Africa.

Joe became a veterans advocate, a journalist, and a political adviser after his time in uniform. He covered military and veterans matters on staff with Leatherneck magazine, the Military Times newspapers, USA TODAYand Gannet News, reporting on operations in the Middle East, Southwest Asia, Africa, as well as disaster relief in the United States.

Joe was named one of the 100 “most influential journalists covering armed violence” by Action on Armed Violence in 2013. He was the first U.S. Marine combat correspondent to step into enemy territory after September 11, 2001, as a military reporter in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He also reported from the front-lines with American and allied forces in Kuwait and Iraq as that war began. He was on the ground for the start of both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Joe served as AMVETS’ national communications director in 2005-2007, and for eight years as assistant national director for communications for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in Washington, D.C., leading grassroots efforts through social networking and new media.

He has also served as president of Social Communications, LLC, and as a public affairs officer director for the Department of Navy. Joe is an alumni of Syracuse University and Central Texas College. He resides in Fairport, N.Y., with his wife Dawn, a service-connected disabled Air Force veteran, and their five children.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

AMVETS Web Site

The VET HEAL Suicide Prevention Training Course

Firearms Access: A Loaded Topic Part 1

Join our Facebook Group:

Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Facebook

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Episode Transcript:

Duane France (00:00):

Welcome to episode six of the Seeking the Military Suicide Solution podcast brought to you by the military times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer (00:07):

And I'm Doc Shauna Springer.

Duane France (00:09):

And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population.I’d like to thank our sponsors, milMedia Group. milMedia Group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at www.milmediagroup.com.

Duane France (00:35):

Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide and thank you for the response to the show. We're getting a lot of great feedback. If you want to give us more feedback rate and review the show on your podcast player of choice, we'd also like you to join us on our Facebook group, moderated by fellow combat veteran Dee James. You can find the group on the show notes or searching seeking the military suicide solution on Facebook. I'm excited to bring today's guest on the show because I think it demonstrates the importance of this issue at the highest national level. Shauna, what can you tell us about today's guest?

Shauna Springer (01:10):

So Joe Chenelly, he is the executive director at AMVETS national headquarters, but behind his public role is a man who is a servant leader. Our first conversation could have gone on for hours. Joe is a Marine who served as a combat correspondent with several back to back deployments and Joe knows the pain of suicide loss all too well. He sustained multiple losses including eight Marines that he served with in Iraq and Afghanistan and his mother who died by suicide 10 years ago as well as many others in the vast network of veterans He serves his role at AMVETS. Joe and his team have taken the late night calls from veterans in crisis. They're doing in the trenches work to keep their brothers and sisters in the fight. ...

Dr. Eugene Lipov is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management and has been practicing in the field of pain medicine since 1990. He completed Northwestern Medical School in 1984, Anesthesia Residency at University of Illinois in 1989, and Advanced Pain Training in 1990.

Dr. Lipov pioneered adaption of a sympathetic block in the neck called Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and hot flashes. Considering current efficacy of PTSD treatment is under 30 percent, using pharmaceuticals and psycho therapy, SGB’s success rate of 85 percent is a major game-changer.

So far, he and his team have treated over 200 veterans. Their foundation has covered the cost of treatment and travel of 100 veterans. They have also treated several hundred civilian patients with diagnosis of PTSD from all over the world. They have successfully treated military-related PTSD, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), PTSD due to being a first responder, non-military sexual trauma, pediatric sexual trauma, and PTSD from other traumatic events.

Additionally Dr. Lipov treats pain patients at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, and at his private practice, Advanced Pain Center.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

List of Mayor's and Governor's Challenge Partners

Dr. Lipov's websites:

www.sgbptsd.com

Erase PTSD Now

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

How to Leave a Podcast Review

Leaving a podcast review at iTunes isn't intuitive. But positive ratings are hugely important: they help the podcast get discovered by new people. Please spend 5 minutes of your time to leave a review using one of the methods below.

How to leave a podcast review using Apple’s Podcast app

1. Navigate to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution on Apple Podcasts on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Click "Listen on Apple Podcasts"

3. Scroll down and click or tap "Write a Review." Enter your iTunes password to login.

4. Rate the podcast using 1 to 5 stars.

5. Submit a brief honest review.

Bonus: get a thank-you note

Your feedback is greatly appreciated. When you leave a review, drop us a line at info@veteranmentalhealth.com and you'll get a message with the warmest appreciation, and a bonus gift!

For Android users, Google Podcasts does not allow for ratings or reviews, but you can certainly let us know how you think we're doing on Spotify, Stitcher, or iHeartRadio

Many thanks, 

Duane and Shauna 

Episode Transcript:

Duane France (00:00):

Welcome to Episode Five of the Seeking the Military Suicide Solution podcast brought to you by the Military Times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer (00:07):

And I'm Doc Shauna Springer.

New Speaker (00:08):

And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd like to thank our sponsors, milMedia Group. milMedia Group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at www.milmediagroup.com.

New Speaker (00:34):

Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to the conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Our guest today is Dr. Eugene Lipov Shauna, what would you like to tell us about Gene?

Shauna Springer (00:45):

Yeah. So Dr. Eugene Lipov is a board certified physician in anesthesiology and pain management who's been practicing in the field of pain management since 1990. He's an assistant professor of surgery at University of Illinois, completing medical school at Northwestern in 1984, was an anesthesia residency at university of Illinois in 1989, and advanced pain training in 1990. But Dr. Lipov, more than anything is a pioneer and he's really pioneered the adaptation of a sympathetic block in the neck called stellate ganglion block, SGB, as it's known for treating post traumatic stress. In the book Outliers. Malcolm Gladwell talks about this idea of the 10,000 hour rule, and he says that the key to achieving world-class expertise in any skill is to a large extent, a matter of practicing the correct way for over around 10,000 hours. And by that definition, Dr. Lipov is a master three or four times over when it comes to this.

Shauna Springer (01:50):

So he's been doing SGB over the course of his 30 years in the field and since he adapted it for use with PTS, he's done hundreds of stellate ganglion block procedures over 14 years with those who have served in the military. So because of this, his methods and his understanding are really light years ahead of anyone else in the field. In the past year, I've personally referred about 20 patients to him. And as you know, Duane, I'm not really a true believer by nature, but I have to say what I've observed is really compelling. His treatment with stellate ganglion block has transformed the lives of everyone I've referred to him. And he's literally saved the lives of a few of my prior patients. There are several who have called me in a state of suicidal crisis who are now feeling lasting relief from their symptoms, who view the future in a totally different way, much more hopeful now. So this may be one of the most important conversations we host on this podcast. But I'm excited to get into it. And you know, I really like brave people and so I'm honored that Dr. Lipov Is joining us for this conversation.

Duane France (03:00):

Well, I agree. As I often say to people is you know, suicide is not the problem to be solved. It's the symptom of an underlying issue. And for many veterans who are in a place of suicidal crisis, those underlying issues are suffering with things like post traumatic stress and the increased anxiety and the hypervigilance and things like that. And so Dr. Lipov is not someone who would normally be on a list of suicide prevention experts. He would be on this list of people that are treating one of the conditions that leads to suicide. This is what we wanted to do is bring somebody on the show that, look, this is a novel, unique intervention that is actually working that this can be one piece of the puzzle. So really appreciated my conversation with Gene. Let's get into that and we'll come back afterwards to pull out some of the key points.

Duane France (04:00):

<...

About Today’s Guest:

Cicely Burrows-McElwain is the Senior Public Health Advisor, Military and Veteran Affairs Liaison, National Policy Liaison Branch, Division of Regional and National Policy/ Office of Policy, Planning, and Innovation (OPPI), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Cicely currently works to advance veteran outcomes through government department collaboration to address the mental health and substance use needs of military members and veterans and their families.

She has over 18 years of experience working in rural behavioral health systems in local, state and federal programs. Now prior to joining the team at SAMHSA, she served as a clinical social worker for the VA in veterans integrated service network five in the VA Maryland healthcare system. Cecily is an adjunct lecture for Salisbury university social work department where she teaches courses on rural social work and disaster mental health.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

List of Mayor's and Governor's Challenge Partners

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

CDC Resource: Preventing Suicide: A Technical Package of Policy, Programs, and Practices

Service Members, Veterans, and their Families Technical Assistance (SMVF TA) Center

Real Warriors Campaign

VA's S.A.V.E. Training (introduction to suicide prevention)

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

Using an app makes subscribing and listening to podcasts (both ours and others) so much simpler. Just subscribe to Seeking the Military Suicide Solutionwithin your app and it will automatically update every time a new episode is released. You can also find all of the podcast players here.

Episode Transcript:

Duane France: (00:00) Welcome to episode four of the Seeking The Military Suicide Solution Podcast brought to you by the Military Times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer: (00:07) And I'm doc Shauna Springer.

Duane France: (00:09) And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd like to thank our sponsors, milMedia Group. milMedia Group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at www.milmediagroup.com

Duane France: (00:35) Hey everybody. Welcome back to the show. Once again and as always, really appreciate you joining us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Our guest today is Cicely Burrows-McElwain. Shauna?

Shauna Springer: (00:49) So Cecily Burrows-McElwain serves as a military and veterans affairs liaison for SAMHSA where she focuses efforts on strengthening cross agency collaboration between organizations like the VA, the department of health and human services, and the department of defense in meeting the behavioral health needs of service members, veterans, and their families. She has over 18 years of experience working in rural behavioral health systems in local, state and federal programs. Now prior to joining the team at SAMHSA, she served as a clinical social worker for the VA in veterans integrated service network five in the VA Maryland healthcare system. Cecily is an adjunct lecture for Salisbury university social work department where she teaches courses on rural social work and disaster mental health.

Shauna Springer: (01:39) In speaking with Cecily, it's quickly evident that her work is not just a job. One sign of her dedication is that she engages in volunteer efforts that serve our nation's defenders, Cecily volunteers, for example, as a First Lieutenant in the Maryland military department's defense force as a clinical social worker with the 10th Medical Regiment. As we'll see in her interview, she's passionate about advancing collaborations that results in positive community level outcomes. It's a pleasure to have her join us as we kick off the initial episodes of seeking the military suicide solution.

Duane France: (02:15) It absolutely is. A Cicely as a friend, is a colleague, and I'm really excited to be able to bring this interview to the listeners. We'll get into the conversation and then we'll come back afterwards to pull out a few key points.

Duane France: (02:38) You're the VA/DOD liaison for SAMHSA. So you have a very sort of high level strategic view of suicide prevention. It's not the only part of your job, but, but that's a big part of it.

Cicely McElwain: (02:51) Yeah, you're absolutely right. What I get to do is really play a coordination role between the work that we do here at SAMHSA, the work that, kind of the larger partnership within all of the department of health and human services does around suicide prevention and bringing those resources, subject matter experts, et cetera to our partners at DOD and VA. And it's really a great kind of macro level viewpoint as you mentioned, but it allows for a perspective that really, for me, being a public servant, really reinforces my meaning as being in this kind of a role because we're able to kind of identify how these federal departments, these large organizations can really make a difference for communities. And so it's been a real honor to do this job.

Duane France: (03:40) I mean it's hard to balance sometimes because it is such a very personal and even local issue. The things that are gonna work in Colorado Springs aren't going to work in San Antonio and they're not going to work...Heck, even the things that work in Baltimore not going to work in DC. And so a, , talking about what works, what is working from your point of view, how do you balance that sort of macro level with the need for community involvement?

Cicely McElwain: (04:07) That's a great question Duane. And I think it's one thing that actually my agency at SAMHSA has done very well on a number of issues related to behavioral health. But in particular when it comes to suicides, there was this understanding that, because this is such a personal issue that touches so many lives, because we have a recognition that there's no community that's not impacted by this. The recognition has been the best way to go about getting action on this huge issue is to get communities involved at the grassroots level up....

About Today’s Guest:

Dr. Matt Miller is currently the Acting Director for Suicide Prevention, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention for the Department of Veterans Affairs. He was appointed the permanent Director of the Veterans Crisis Line on July 23, 2017. Dr. Miller joined the VA in January of 2012 as the Chief of Mental Health at the Saginaw VAMC in Saginaw, Michigan.  He has been detailed to the national mental health office as a Technical Assistance Specialist and as Senior Consultant for National Mental Health Technical Assistance.  Before coming to VCL, Dr. Miller served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Saginaw VAMC, with responsibility and oversight of facility-wide access and quality, assisting Saginaw with achieving and maintaining a 5-star ranking by facility complexity in the nation on SAIL.  Within his role as Director of the VCL, Dr. Miller has been privileged to be a part of a team that has created and implemented a third call center in Topeka, KS, has increased total staffing to 900+ FTE becoming the world’s largest crisis call center, has achieved a 96 percent reduction in Rollover calls to the backup call center, has developed an industry-leading Quality and Training program, has achieved certification via nationally-recognized oversight organizations, and has innovated cutting edge research projects in the field of suicide prevention.

Dr. Miller received his PhD from Michigan State University, East Lansing, and his MPH from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.  He completed a professional clinical psychology internship via the United States Air Force (USAF), Wright Patterson Medical Center, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  Thereafter, he was assigned to Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, as Chief of Mental Health.  Miller was awarded “Officer of the Year” representing the 71st Medical Group in 2003; in the same year, he was awarded the USAF “Cutting Edge Award” for program development and outcomes addressing and treating Complicated Airsickness Management for Pilots.”

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

VA Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention

2019 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report 

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

Using an app makes subscribing and listening to podcasts (both ours and others) so much simpler. Just subscribe to Seeking the Military Suicide Solutionwithin your app and it will automatically update every time a new episode is released. You can also find all of the podcast players here.

Episode Transcript:

Duane France: (00:00) Welcome to episode three of the Seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast brought to you by the military times. I'm Duane France.

Shauna Springer: (00:07) and I'm doc Shauna Springer.

Duane France: (00:09) and we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd also like to thank our sponsors, milMedia group. Milmedia group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find out more about them at milmediagroup.com

Duane France: (00:38) Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. The response to the concept of the show has been outstanding. It's generating a lot of conversation and that's what we're trying to do. Our guest today is Dr. Matt Miller, Acting Director for Suicide Prevention for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Shauna?

Shauna Springer: (01:00) Today we're pleased to bring Matt Miller onto the show. As Duane said, his official role as Acting Director for Suicide Prevention for the Department of Veterans Affairs, but like other guests, this is not a job. It's personal. The back story is this: many years ago, Matt Miller was the only psychologist on Vance air force base in Enid, Oklahoma. In this role, he was in charge of mental health for the entire base. He led all efforts related to suicide prevention, family advocacy, substance abuse treatment, and critical incident response services. He also became part of the inner circle of major John Ruocco. By all accounts, John was the kind of guy that lit up a room, a decorated Cobra pilot. He was someone who had more than 75 combat missions under his belt and John was a rock for many people, including Matt Miller. John was also someone that never fully revealed the depth of his hidden pain, even to those who love him most. When John died by suicide in February, 2005 the grief that initially engulfed those closest to him later fueled an explosion of posttraumatic growth. John's wife, Kim Ruocco, who will be featured on a future episode of Seeking the Military Suicide Solution, has led efforts to develop and refine what is now the leading postvention model in the country. And Matt Miller went on to become the director of the veteran's crisis line and is now the acting national director for suicide prevention for the department of veterans affairs.

Duane France: (02:32) Yeah, it's really great to hear Matt's background and like we've talked about even in the introductory episode, you know, the reasons why people come to this work are often very personal and that's definitely the way it was with Matt. So let's get into the conversation and we'll come back afterwards to pull out some of the key points.

Duane France: (03:01) The work that you're doing now and the work that you've done before focusing on suicide in the veteran population with the VA. What do we know that works with preventing suicide in the veteran population?

Dr. Matt Miller: (03:16) Hmm. We know...that's a question that we all are constantly asking in the context of such an important issue where lives are truly on the line on a daily basis. In terms of what we know works. We know that a public health approach to suicide prevention is evidence-based and work. A public health approach means that...kinda consider it like an equation, where you have an equal sign and on the right hand side of the equal sign you have public health approach. So really then what's on the left hand side of the equal sign, there's two things. Number one, there's clinically based interventions and then number two, there's community based intervention. And they, those two clinically based interventions and community bas...

About Today’s Guest:

Dr. Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist in cognitive behavioral psychology, and is currently the Executive Director of the National Center for Veterans Studies at The University of Utah. Dr. Bryan received his PsyD in clinical psychology in 2006 from Baylor University, and completed his clinical psychology residency at the Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, TX. He was retained as faculty in the Department of Psychology at Wilford Hall Medical Center, where he was Chief of the Primary Care Psychology Service, as well as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for Lackland AFB. 

Dr. Bryan deployed to Balad, Iraq, in 2009, where he served as the Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic at the Air Force Theater Hospital. Dr. Bryan separated from active duty service shortly after his deployment, and currently researches suicidal behaviors and suicide prevention strategies, and psychological health and resiliency. He currently manages numerous federally-funded projects in excess of $10 million, to include studies testing cognitive behavioral treatments for suicidal service members, developing innovative methods to identify and detect high-risk military personnel and veterans, and disseminating effective treatments to health care providers and the public. 

Dr. Bryan has published over 120 scientific articles and several books including Managing Suicide Risk in Primary Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Preventing Suicide Attempts: A Guide to Brief Treatments Across Clinical Settings, and the Handbook of Psychosocial Interventions for Veterans and Service Members: A Guide for the Non-Military Mental Health Clinician. He is the lead risk management consultant for the $25 million STRONG STAR Research Consortium and the $45 million Consortium to Alleviate PTSD, which investigates treatments for combat-related PTSD among military personnel, and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Association for Suicidology. He is considered a leading national expert on military and veteran suicide. For his contributions to military mental health and suicide prevention, Dr. Bryan has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Arthur W. Melton Award for Early Career Achievement, the Peter J.N. Linnerooth National Service Award, and the Charles S. Gersoni Military Psychology Award from the American Psychological Association; and the Edwin S Shneidman Award for outstanding contributions to research in suicide from the American Association of Suicidology.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

National Center for Veterans Studies

Dr. Bryan on Social Media

Twitter

LinkedIn

Episode Sponsor:

milMedia Group 

Shauna's latest book: Beyond the Military: A Leader's Handbook for Warrior Reintegration

Duane's latest book: Military in the Rear View Mirror: Mental Health and Wellness in Post-Military Life

Using an app makes subscribing and listening to podcasts (both ours and others) so much simpler. Just subscribe to Seeking the Military Suicide Solution within your app and it will automatically update every time a new episode is released. You can also find all of the podcast players here.

Episode Transcript:

Duane France: (00:00) Welcome to seeking the military suicide solution podcast brought to you by the military times. I'm Duane France

Shauna Springer: (00:06) And I'm doc Shauna Springer

Duane France: (00:08) And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population. I'd like to thank our sponsors, milMedia group. milMedia group is a proven web design and digital media agency specializing in supporting organizations focusing on the military population. Find more about them at milmediagroup.com.

Duane France: (00:34) Thanks again to everybody who joined us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Our guest today is Dr. Craig Bryan from the University of Utah. Shauna, how about you tell us about our guest.

Shauna Springer: (00:47) Sure. Dr. Craig Bryan is an Air Force veteran, a board certified clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the National Center for Veteran Studies at the University of Utah. Greg and his wife Annabel met in Iraq in 2009 when both of them were engaged in military service roles. After separating from the military, at times, they've both considered going back in and their daughter posed this question to them: why would you think about going back to Iraq when you're both satisfied with your job, with your housing, with really just about everything else in your life? And so as Craig reflected on this question, he realized that the pull of returning to Iraq had a feeling of unfinished business and then he saw that this was actually an illusion. One that is maybe common to many who serve. As he put it, it's something we do to ourselves. Always thinking about what we've done and how it's not good enough even when we've done more than enough. Before we built a friendship, I admired Craig and AnnaBelle for their dedication to the mission of suicide prevention and their ability to engage in both in the trenches work with those who are suffering and their high level thought leadership. Craig and AnnaBelle are on mission to support fellow veterans. They are considered field leading experts on suicide and suicide prevention strategies. It's such a pleasure to have them on the podcast as one of our lead off interviews for Seeking the Military Suicide Solution.

Duane France: (02:07) I really appreciate that. You know, when we started putting this together, a lot of people, when I said, "who should we have on the show?" A lot of people said, Dr. Craig Bryan, he was usually top of the list. And so I'm really glad that we were able to have him on the show. Let's get into the conversation and we'll come back afterwards to pull out some of the key points.

Duane France: (02:35) From Your perspective, what is the thing that really works when it comes to preventing suicide in the military population?

Craig Bryan: (02:41) There's sort of two, I think, arms to thinking about what works in suicide prevention. One arm falls on the healthcare side of the house and then the other arm is outside of the healthcare system. And I point that out, because we know, you know, 70% of veterans who died by suicide are not actively seeking out of mental health care at the time of their death. And that seems to be true for both active duty currently serving military as well as those who are no longer in...

About Today’s Guest:

Barbara Van Dahlen, Ph.D., named to TIME magazine’s 2012 list of the 100 most influential people in the world, is the president of Give an Hour. A licensed clinical psychologist who has been practicing in the Washington, D.C., area for over 20 years, she received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maryland in 1991. Concerned about the mental health implications of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Van Dahlen founded Give an Hour in 2005 to enlist mental health professionals to provide free services to U.S. troops, veterans, their loved ones, and their communities.

Working with other nonprofit leaders, Dr. Van Dahlen developed the Community Blueprint, a national initiative and online tool to assist communities in more effectively and strategically supporting veterans and military families. Give an Hour has implemented the Blueprint approach in two demonstration sites and continues to lead community collaboration projects.

In June of 2019, she was named the Executive Director of the Task Force to create the President’s Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide (PREVENTS).

Episode Transcript:

Duane France:  (00:00) Welcome to episode one of the seeking the military suicide solution podcast brought to you by the military times. I'm Duane France

Shauna Springer: (00:07) And I'm Doc Shauna Springer

Duane France:  (00:08) And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to learn more about suicide in the military affiliated population.

Duane France:  (00:22) Thanks again to everybody for joining us to listen to an honest conversation about service member veteran and military family suicide. Our guest today is Barbara Van Dahlen. Shauna, how about you tell us about the guest.

Shauna Springer: (00:34) Sure. Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen is a clinical psychologist who serves as the executive director of the task force to create the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide. What's called PREVENTS. Prior to spearheading the efforts of PREVENTS, Dr. Van Dahlen and founded Give An Hour in 2005 based on her concern that as a nation, we would not be ready to respond to the needs of those who have deployed to the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. As president of Give An Hour, Barbara led efforts to create a national network of mental health professionals who provide free services to us troops, veterans, their loved ones and their communities. Like many people who become leaders in the field, Barbara's work is not just a job. It's personal. After serving in the Pacific during world war II, her father came home with post traumatic stress. At the time, there was no concept of what PTSD is and how it can be treated like there is today. Barbara and her father were very close and she admired him for his strength, especially as he stepped into the role of being a single father for much of her childhood. So Give An Hour was established in large part because of Barbara's lived experience and the resultant clarity in her perception that we need to do a better job at supporting those who serve in our military. In today's episode, she and Duane discuss the concrete aims of the task force and her philosophical approach to the work of suicide prevention.

Duane France: (02:01) That's great. I really appreciate that. Whenever we were thinking about who the first guest should be, or lining up the guests, obviously the prevents task force where it is right now and where it's going to be going, she was definitely one of the first ones that I thought of, and that you agreed, would really be important to come on the show. So let's get into the conversation then. You and I will come back afterwards to pull out some of the key points.

Duane France: (02:33) So the PREVENTS Task Force, I've been hearing about it for a couple of years, obviously it's been in the works. President Trump signed the executive order back in March and now it's a thing. So if you can give us maybe a little bit of an overview of what the PREVENTS Task Force is.

Dr. Van Dahlen: (02:50) Sure. So maybe this will help frame why this is such an extraordinary issue, at least from my perspective and why I was so honored to take the position. So I was aware as many people in our community, those of us who are working to support military veterans, you know, related to this work, suicide prevention, mental health in general. I read the, the executive order in March when it was signed. I was actually then at that point the president of Give an Hour, the organization I ran for 15 years that I founded, I was asked to read it by a news outlet that wanted me to comment on it. And so I read it and I thought, this is extraordinary. We have never seen an effort from the federal government focused on addressing a challenge, a societal challenge like suicide. So that was my reaction.

Dr. Van Dahlen: (03:48) I was like, Oh my gosh. And the opportunity to pull together across agencies was just as I said, extraordinary. And so little did I know a couple months later I was called and asked whether I would consider running the task force becoming the executive director. And I was, you know, I said I was honored. And so, so began my journey with this work. The executive order, PREVENTS is the acronym, stands for the President's Roadmap to Empower Veterans and End a National Tragedy of Suicide. And both of those pieces doing are really important. Why? Because people who are empowered, people who feel like they have purpose, they have mission, people like that are much less likely to die by suicide. And we can talk more about that. The other half of that acronym, end a national tragedy of suicide, suicide is not just a concern in our military and veteran community.

Dr. Van Dahlen: (04:48) Suicide is on the rise in our nation. And in fact, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 35. 10.  10 year olds. And so this is an opportunity. Yes, our goal with some of the parts in particular, some of the funding that will eventually flow, so the research is very, very focused on veterans, but that's not all we're focusing on. This is an opportunity actually for our veterans and our military community to lead the way as we tackle suicide broadly. So this effort is an all hands on deck. It is about interagency coordination, collaboration. It's about working with our community partners, diving deep into our communities to ensure that we knit together efforts that are currently there. The last thing I'll say is that a piece of this work, and for me, perhaps the biggest piece, this is a public health approach. We've never done this before. We have never tried to address suicide on this massive scale from a public health approach.

Duane France:  (05:57) Right. And, and that's what I find interesting about this. It's all out there. All the resources are out there, but it's more of a facilitation role rather than, you know, somebody taking the lead. You know, we're all digging holes, but nobody's telling us where to dig the holes or how effectively to dig them together.

Dr. Van Dahlen: (06:18) Yes. Well, and I think to your point, the publi...

Duane France, MA, MBA, LPC is the Director of Veteran Services for the Family Care Center, a private mental health clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is also the Executive Director of the Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency, a 501(c)3 nonprofit professionally affiliated with the Family Care Center.

Upon retiring from the Army after a twenty-two year career, including five combat and operational deployments, Mr. France began serving as a clinical mental health counselor in 2014. He is a member of the inaugural class of the George W. Bush Institute Veteran Leadership Program, a program that supports individuals from diverse sectors across the country who are motivated to increase their impact in helping our nation's veterans.

In addition to his clinical work, he also writes and speaks about veteran mental health in a wide variety of settings. He has presented at national conferences on mental health and wellness in the military population. He has authored three books, and is the founder and host of Head Space and Timing, a blog and podcast that brings the information from the clinical community to service members, veterans, and their families. He has been published in numerous local and national media outlets, and writes an online column for Counseling Today.

Dr. Shauna Springer is a licensed psychologist and nationally recognized expert on initiatives that benefit the military community. Known as “Doc Springer”, she is a trusted advisor for a vast network of veterans, military families and fellow thought leaders. Her uniquely perceptive insights have helped thousands of warriors reconnect with their tribe, strengthen their relationships, and build lives driven by their values. Dr. Springer’s work has been featured on NPR, NBC, CBS Radio, Military Times and Marine Corps Times.

She is co-author of the best-selling book, Beyond the Military, which explores the psychological, cultural and relational aspects of military transition and provides a comprehensive roadmap for successfully navigating life after military service. In addition, she has expertise in several critical, cutting edge subjects – for example – moral injury, approaching conversations about firearm safety, the links between survivor guilt, shame, and suicidal ideation, combining therapy with Stellate Ganglion Block (an innovative treatment for post-traumatic stress), the trust gap between warriors and civilian treatment providers, and the bond between those who serve in the military and their trusted healers.

Her next book WARRIOR: How to Support Those Who Protect Us has been endorsed by Academy Award Nominee and Author of the books Tribe and War, Sebastian Junger. WARRIOR will be published in Spring 2020.

Episode Transcript:

Duane France: 00:00   Welcome to the seeking the Military Suicide Solution Podcast brought to you by the Military Times. I'm Duane France

Shauna Springer:  00:06 And I'm Doc Shauna Springer

Duane France: 00:08   And we'd like to thank you for taking the time to join us to talk about an extremely important topic, suicide in the military affiliated population.

Duane France: 00:22   So this is the introductory episode of the show and you wanted to take a few minutes to tell you a bit about us, what brought us here and why this show at this point in time. To start off with, I'll tell you a little bit about me. My name is Duane France. I said I'm a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan and a clinical mental health counselor practicing in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In addition to my clinical work, I also write and speak about mental health and wellness on my blog and podcast, Head Space and Timing. In over 150 episodes of that show, the topic of suicide came up often. It started to come up so often that we decided to create this show to talk about that subject specifically. I'm joined by my cohost, Doc Springer. Shauna.

Shauna Springer: 01:06   Yes, thanks Duane. So I'm a licensed psychologist who's known as Doc Springer for my role as a trusted advisor in the military and veteran community. And in addition to spending years innovating in the area of suicide prevention, I have expertise in a number of topics that have not been well explored as yet. For example, moral injury, firearm safety conversations, and bridging the trust gap between veterans and civilian treatment providers. I've never served in the military, wouldn't want to represent that I did, but I had a pretty unconventional upbringing. That I'll talk about a little bit later in this episode that has helped veterans really feel like home to me and has really helped me feel comfortable working with those who have served in the military. I work has been featured on NPR, NBC, CBS radio, Military Times, and Marine Corps Times and I'm delighted to do this podcast series with Duane France, who I first met through the Head Space and Timing podcast. He does excellent interviews and I just thought what a thoughtful interview that was. And then when he asked me to cohost this with him, it just all kind of came together from there.

Duane France: 02:15   No, I really appreciate that. I think it was as I was thinking about the concept of this show, really wanting to bring someone on to to really, you know, parse some things out with and bounce some things off of. I really appreciated your willingness to come on and have the conversation.

Shauna Springer:  02:36   Yeah. You know, one of the things I really wanted to do in this episode is to give space for us to talk about how we came to this work. It's really important to me as we go through this process to interview guests that don't see this as just a job that really see this as a mission or a calling or something that is at least sacred work to them for some reason or another. And often there's a story behind what drives people to do this work in the first place. So I wanted to ask you, doing what brought you to this work? What's your story?

Duane France: 03:17   Everybody loves an origin story, right? Surprisingly, a pretty common question is, you know, how does a...I was not a mental health professional when I was in the army. I was actually in logistics. I made a choice 25 years ago now to to take the first thing smoking out of St Louis to be able to get out of my dad's basement and happened to be that particular MOS. And then opportunities over those 22 years I spent in the Army, I decided to do more crazy stuff like jumping out of airplanes and, you know, going to weird and exotic places like Turkey and Norway rather than changing my job. But I wasn't a mental health professional specifically. I wasn't a licensed clinician when I was in the army. When I do often say that it is somewhat similar to a Platoon Sergeant, a First Sergeant of, you know, "Hey Joe, what's going on?" And, and you know, "what's going on in your head?"

Duane France: 04:05   I always thought that I was going to be a high school teacher. Like you know, one of those English teachers or maybe a history teacher who, you know, the students could derail by asking war stories and not get any homework. And I had a Vietnam Vet teacher that we knew that if we got him talking about Vietnam, we could get out of homework. And, you know, I always saw myself doing something like that. And then some of the things in, I've talked about it, we will talk about ...