My journey to mental healthcare

First, I come from a past that was not very healthy in childhood or adolescence. I have experienced traumas growing up that had me feeling depression, anxiety, and more. I had to face many things about life and myself. I have had to face body image issues due to the words of others and weight gain and I am presently on the journey of fitness. Through these struggles, I gained an understanding of hurt, pain, and what those can lead to.

In the United States Air Force, I was a flight weather forecaster and volunteered with mental health to present to squadrons about domestic and workplace violence and suicide. After helping two airmen who were suicidal get through their struggles and obtain care, I knew there was more I could do to help others.

While in law enforcement as a patrol officer, my eyes were opened more to the darkness all around and the struggles many people face when they have no one they trust to talk to. I have seen the end result of poor therapy and the end result of someone being too scared to try therapy because of stigma or concern of judgment.

I operated a nonprofit for veterans that law enforcement encounters in an active mental health crisis. I have responded to help the veteran in their immediate crisis and stayed with them until they were calm and talking. Many of them struggled between their sessions and had no one to help them in the immediate struggle. Having operated the nonprofit that worked with veterans in mental health crises drives me more to not lose another person to them not getting the help they need.

Over the years, experiences have helped me to show others they are heard and understood. Many people have struggled with finding therapists that heard them and listened to what they needed. I am motivated to let each person be an individual in my approach as I tailor it to them. I work to change the stigma and negatives held towards mental health treatment and make it something that each person I talk to can embrace and feel safe with.