Episode 022: Connecting to the Military and Veteran Community

Psych/Armor educates and trains organizations on how to better understand and connect with military-connected individuals: transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and their families. Listen to Tina explain how her family’s history of military service and her experiences as a military spouse created opportunities to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential.

 

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Tina shares what motivated her to assist and support veterans and their families.

[9:51] Tina explains how she started Psych/Armor, a nonprofit organization.

[11:17] Psych/Armor’s primary mission is to help connect the military and civilian communities in various ways.

[14:08] Tina shares more about the work accomplished by Psych/Armor.

[16:08] Psych/Armor was funded by a licensed mental health counselor in San Diego who was a civilian.

[17:14] At Psych/Armor, there is a cultural competency requirement to understand the people that they serve.

[18:44] Tina comments on the vast ecosystem that forms Psych/Armor.

[21:46] Psych/Armor’s primary focus is on health equity.

[23:17] Colonel Sam expands on the two common narratives from our society’s perspective on veterans: Veterans are either super soldiers or broken soldiers.

[25:20] Psych/Armor is made by a cross-generational Team.

[29:43] Tina received an award from SAMHSA (The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration).

[30:17] Tina discusses the concept of wellness and its importance for the veteran community.

[33:51] Tina shares her call to action with anyone wanting to help the veteran community.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

Dixon Center: Reaching America

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.

Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.

Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

 

Visit Psych/Armor

 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Wellness Initiative envisions a future in which people pursue health, happiness, recovery, and a full and satisfying life in the community. Below are brief descriptions of each dimension of wellness. Being able to balance these eight dimensions is a foundation for positive outcomes for veterans and their families. To learn more, visit Creating a Healthier Life.

• Physical Wellness: A healthy body. Good physical health habits. Nutrition, exercise, and appropriate health care. These make up the physical dimension of wellness.

• Intellectual Wellness: keeping our brains active and our intellect expanding … reading, taking a class at your local community college, and engaging in debate/discussions.

• Financial Wellness: proactively managing your income, debt, and savings, as well as increasing your understanding of financial processes and resources.

• Environmental Wellness: being in a safe, supportive environment, having a place that you can call home. An environment where you can live, learn, and thrive.

• Spiritual Wellness: a broad concept that represents one’s personal beliefs and values and involves having meaning, purpose, and a sense of balance and peace.

• Social Wellness: involves having healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community, and having an interest in and concern for the needs of others and humankind.

• Occupational Wellness: involves participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and reflect personal values, interests, and beliefs, including employment.

• Emotional Wellness: involves the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life’s stressors, and enjoy life.

 

Tweetables and quotes:

“The military community is so diverse; it represents a great example of the larger civilian community.”

 

“Suicide prevention and PTSD are not exclusive to the military community.”

 

“There are two common narratives from our society’s perspective on veterans: Veterans are either super soldiers or broken soldiers, and neither are the norm.”

 

“At Psych/Armor, we want to reduce isolation and increase belonging in our veteran community.”