This episode of "Your Story Doesn't End Here" focuses on the importance of empowering vulnerable, younger veterans through mental health support and community engagement. Guests Jenna Carlton and Michelle Lang, along with host Rachel Oswalt, discuss the challenges younger veterans face in connecting with traditional veteran organizations and the need for more inclusive, family-friendly events and resources. Also emphasized is the importance of honest conversations about the real struggles faced by this demographic, including issues like moral injury, isolation, and high suicide rates.
Key Points:
- Connecting with younger veterans through online communities and adapting events to be more family-friendly
- Challenges faced by younger veterans, including feeling disconnected from the veteran community and being vulnerable to scams
- Importance of supporting rural veterans who struggle to access resources and community engagement
- Complexities of veteran identity, particularly for women and non-combat veterans
- Role of patriotism and leadership in shaping veteran experiences and perceptions
- Need for honest conversations about mental health, suicide rates, and the real struggles of younger veterans
Come hear Jenna, Michelle, Juan Perez, and Tyler Heisey speak at the 2024 Military Influencers Conference at the Marketplace Stage, 12:20 PM on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024.
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If you are experiencing suicidal ideations or have experienced sexual assault and need help or someone to talk to, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673** **Any views discussed in this episode are strictly personal views and not views of the United States military. This podcast is in no way affiliated with any branch of the United States military. Some names have been changed in order to protect the identities of speakers and/or names mentioned throughout episodes.
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