{"id":7618,"date":"2026-05-04T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7618"},"modified":"2026-05-04T14:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T14:30:00","slug":"veterans-get-real-about-their-mental-health-journeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7618","title":{"rendered":"Veterans get real about their mental health journeys"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2026-05-04T14:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Candid talk about recognizing challenges and finding solutions<\/h2>\n

Are you having a hard time deciding whether changes in your feelings or behavior are temporary or a cause for concern? Do you hesitate to ask for help? Ever wonder if mental health care could really make a difference?<\/p>\n

For Mental Health Month this May, VA is inviting you to learn from hundreds of other Veterans who have shared how they handled these questions and considerations. They\u2019re men and women of all ages, from all branches of service, with a wide range of military and life experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Speaking openly in their own words, Veterans share the ups and downs of their mental health journeys. They talk about their symptoms, why they asked for help, which treatments worked best for them and how mental health care changed their lives. In sharing their stories, they\u2019re hoping other Veterans like you will hear something that will guide you on your own path forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy anxiety would go up\u201d<\/h2>\n

As a Veteran whose emotions or behaviors may be impacting your quality of life, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

Jamie, a Marine Veteran, described feeling overwhelmed. \u201cI couldn\u2019t focus on one thing, so I wasn\u2019t going to focus on anything,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd then my anxiety would go up and then depression would set in because I just couldn\u2019t function.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Stanita, a Navy Veteran, self-imposed isolation became a warning sign. \u201cI would withdraw. I did not want to interact with others in any way,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

For Nick, an Army Veteran, there was no mistaking his biggest symptom. \u201cI got off active duty and there was a huge hole missing in my life, and so I turned to alcohol to kind of fill that void,\u201d he said. \u201cI was going through 18 beers a night and passing out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t wait to ask for help\u201d<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re a Veteran feeling uncertain about reaching out for support, this is a common experience. Many Veterans hesitate, for a variety of reasons. Veterans sharing their stories urge others to overcome their reluctance or any barriers they might encounter when seeking care.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t wait to ask for help,\u201d said Nick, who started treatment after he became suicidal and a friend drove him to a VA hospital. \u201cWe think that we can fix our problems ourselves, and you just have to accept that you might not be able to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gregg, who was a Maj. Gen. in the Army, didn\u2019t let his rank dissuade him from seeking treatment for symptoms of bipolar disorder and sharing his story with other Veterans. \u201cI am not going to be stigmatized, embarrassed, ashamed,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you have a mental health issue and you don\u2019t get help, you\u2019re looking at a path of destruction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned so many things\u201d<\/h2>\n

Mental health treatment and support from VA gives Veterans the tools they need to improve their quality of life. Hear Veterans explain which treatments and support worked for them and how treatment impacted their lives.<\/p>\n

Jamie, diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, mild depression and anxiety, said that receiving talk therapy, learning mindfulness<\/a> and gaining confidence to reveal her true self made a huge difference. \u201cI could tell that was easing my stress and anxiety once people saw me for me,\u201d she said. \u201cI feel more support today than I ever have.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick, diagnosed with PTSD and depression, believes he\u2019d still be drinking if not for the 28-day inpatient program with VA that started his path to recovery. One-on-one therapy with life coaching keeps him on course.<\/p>\n

Stanita said every tool she\u2019s learned in therapy has helped her manage her PTSD, anxiety and depression. \u201cI\u2019ve learned so many things, to be honest, and I actually utilize every technique that I have been taught,\u201d she said. \u201cGet help. It will help you navigate the world better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ready to take the next step? Find a Veteran story that speaks to you and explore VA mental health resources by visiting VA\u2019s Mental Health Month website<\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs<\/a>. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This Mental Health Month, VA invites Veterans to find their own path forward by hearing fellow Veterans speak openly about their challenges and solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-health-care","category-mental-health-recovery"],"yoast_head":"\nVeterans get real about their mental health journeys - Its Veterans<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This Mental Health Month, VA invites Veterans to find their own path forward by hearing fellow Veterans speak openly about their challenges and solutions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=7618\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Veterans get real about their mental health journeys - 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