S2E5 Part One: Military and Mental Health
One of the more difficult tasks of operating a podcast is finding guests to come on the show. Each season I open to social media followers asking for volunteers who are willing to discuss their experiences of mental health and a particular topic of discussion. By far, military and mental health has been the most well-received topic.
From former to active military members, men, women, spouses, doctors, volunteers, and family members- it seemed so many who have had experiences with the military had stories to tell. I decided to turn this episode into a multi-episode series, with the hopes of bringing several multifaceted perspectives to the topic. First up, my friend Kate Honan.
Kate and I forgot to take a photo in the studio, so I had to find one on my phone!
Kate is the sister of Andrea Honan, who was featured on the first-ever episode of this podcast where we discussed mental health in the workplace. Kate joined the Airforce after high school and eventually worked her way to Airforce Special Operations. This is where Kate served while she was deployed during the Afghanistan War.
Kate’s interview is shockingly raw and brutally honest about the horrors of war, the difficulties of adjusting to civilian life, what it’s like being married to a member of special operations, the effects of PTSD, and how we can do better to serve those who have served us.
Despite the struggles and difficulties endured, Kate remains humble and thankful for her time in the military. We also discuss the importance of eliminating the stigma surrounding military and mental health, why this stigma exists, and how to honor and respect those we have lost to veteran suicide.
It doesn’t matter what your experience with the military is, this 3 part episode is not one you will want to miss! In the coming episodes, we will be sitting down with a VA doctor and the owner of a non-profit veterans suicide awareness company who are both doing amazing things to help our soldiers find peace and normalcy in their daily lives.
Be Well!
