“We’re stronger together.” Army Veteran Urges Women Veterans To Get Support
When I needed help, I wasn't shamed. I was able to get the mental health treatment that I needed. I felt like that really helped me just get out of my own way and become a successful person, become a happy person.
Hi, my name is Jess. I was in the Army from 2012 to 2016 and I was a 74 delta. I'm an immigrant. I felt really honored to be so blessed with certain opportunities and being to live in this country. I wanted to give back. My time in the Army was pretty cool. I just wanted to make sure that I could show up, pull my weight, and be a part of the team.
I was sexually assaulted when I was in the army the first year, and that really shook me up because it was from someone else that was in the army. We wear the same uniform. We're supposed to be on the same team. We're supposed to have each other's back, like, how could you do that to me?
So prior to seeking mental health treatment, I was drinking a lot. You know, reckless behavior or just running from those thoughts, trying to keep myself busy and I just wouldn't slow down. I couldn't slow down. After service, before I got mental health help, I was just tired. I felt like I could finally breathe, but I also felt like I didn't have enough energy to even take care of myself. I would drink a lot. I would, you know, smoke. I would just do reckless things and just each of my vices led me down to a dead end. And I was like, "I can't do this anymore."
I was reminded that I am entitled to those benefits. I'm not a burden, and you know, that's what the VA is there for. You know, I put my pride aside and I made an appointment. And I was just honest, and open, and willing. And I wanted to have the tools to be able to take care of myself if I am having a bad day.
The mental health treatment that has worked for me has been intensive therapy. So talk therapy. I've done cognitive behavioral therapy, and with that it's just working through my thoughts, and my actions, and why I think the way that I do, why I do the things that I do. Taking that time to slow down and really question why I'm doing what I'm doing has really eased all that reckless behavior or the destructive behavior because I can't get better and I can't move forward if I'm having my own internal war with myself.
The mental health diagnosis that I received was PTSD, depression, anxiety. I would absolutely recommend all women Veterans to check out the women's clinic. It also helps them learn more about us. There's not very many women Veterans that use the VA. So the more that we do the surveys, the more that we go into those clinics, the more they can kind of learn about our demographic, and improve treatment for us.
I had to learn that not everyone is against me and not everyone's gonna hurt me. It means a lot to have friends that can support me through this journey because I know how much it took for me to even get here, and they can see that I have people that are cheering me on. And also there for me during those really hard times too.
When I can show up, honestly, you know, that connection strengthens and it builds that deeper bond, and I know that they're truly there for me, that they truly love me. It's been great being able to show up better. And I know that they can tell the difference too.
I love going on hot girl walks. I love putting on music and walking around my neighborhood. I love playing with my dog. I really love animals, so I'll volunteer. Just try anything and everything.
The VA is there. You don't know what you don't know. And you know, they're there to help you. You're worth that effort. The advice I have for women Veterans is the sisterhood that you didn't have while in service, you can find that as a Veteran. We're all cheering everybody on. Everybody has a seat at the table, and we're stronger together than we are apart.
