As part of Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative, representatives from the Home Base Foundation and Wounded Warriors joined us this month to share valuable resources for veterans and validate that struggling does not equal defeat.

This trend to “power through” mental struggles was echoed by representatives of the Wounded Warrior Project in their own interview. “So I think veterans, when we think about individuals who are placed in continuously stressful situations… There's not an opportunity to talk about that in the moment,” said Dr. Erin Fletcher. “This is mission first. We need to stay safe. And we need to be able to come home. And so we think about again that kind of longstanding continuous exposure to stress, anxiety, isolation from friends and family.”

Retired Command SergeantMajor Tonya Oxendine completely agreed. “That's what we do. That's what we know that the military is to fight and win wars. And that's the mindset that we have.” That being said, she also noted that this "toughness" can quickly turn into self-sabotage. “I think when we transition, we're still in that mindset and not realizing that these things need to be talked about, that we need to develop new skills and discover new ways of learning and new ways of healing and to realize that there is help out there. We don't have to keep that bottled in and struggle alone.”

You can listen to both conversations in full at the links above. If you or a veteran you know is struggling, please refer to our list of further mental health resources. You are not alone; Home Base Veteran and Family Care, Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans Crisis Line, Vets4Warriors, Veterans Affairs Get Help, Veterans Affairs Mental Health Toolkit , Veteran Affairs Transition Training, Veteran Affairs on Mental Health.

Audacy's I’m Listeninginitiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by David O’Leary

As part of Audacy’s I’m Listening initiative, representatives from the Home Base Foundation and Wounded Warriors joined us this month to share valuable resources for veterans and validate that struggling does not equal defeat.
This trend to “power through” mental struggles was echoed by representatives of the Wounded Warrior Project in their own interview. “So I think veterans, when we think about individuals who are placed in continuously stressful situations… There's not an opportunity to talk about that in the moment,” said Dr. Erin Fletcher. “This is mission first. We need to stay safe. And we need to be able to come home. And so we think about again that kind of longstanding continuous exposure to stress, anxiety, isolation from friends and family.”
Retired Command Sergeant Major Tonya Oxendine completely agreed. “That's what we do. That's what we know that the military is to fight and win wars. And that's the mindset that we have.” That being said, she also noted that this "toughness" can quickly turn into self-sabotage. “I think when we transition, we're still in that mindset and not realizing that these things need to be talked about, that we need to develop new skills and discover new ways of learning and new ways of healing and to realize that there is help out there. We don't have to keep that bottled in and struggle alone.”
You can listen to both conversations in full at the links above. If you or a veteran you know is struggling, please refer to <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">our list</a> of further mental health resources. You are not alone; <a href="https://homebase.org/">Home Base Veteran and Family Care</a>, <a href="https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/">Wounded Warrior Project</a>, <a href="https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/">Veterans Crisis Line</a>, <a href="https://vets4warriors.com/">Vets4Warriors</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/get-help/index.asp">Veterans Affairs Get Help</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/#sthash.nJKjSafq.OiF8WL9S.dpbs">Veterans Affairs Mental Health Toolkit </a>, <a href="https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/">Veteran Affairs Transition Training</a>, <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/">Veteran Affairs on Mental Health</a>.
Audacy's <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening">I’m Listening</a> initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.
Words by Isabella Eaton Interview by David O’Leary

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources here.

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the Suicide &amp; Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 988. Find a full list of additional resources <a href="https://www.audacy.com/im-listening/im-listening-take-control-of-your-mental-health-today">here</a>.

I'm Listening

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. I'm Listeningis a 365-day-a-year initiative that aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there.

It’s okay to not be OK. We know the power of talk can save lives. Audacy's I’m Listening aims to share valuable resources for those who need to connect, heal and share their own stories. I'm Listening is a 365-day-a-year initiative that aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there.

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