Full Episode
Summary Episode
About Today’s Guest:
Shawn is a 14-year veteran with the Kansas City, Missouri Police department. She is a Missouri Dole Caregiver Fellow alumna for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. Since May of 2013 Shawn has been a caregiver for her husband who is a 23-year Army veteran. She has a passion for supporting and advocating for military and veteran family caregivers. Shawn has earned her Bachelor degree in Social Psychology and is in her last year of her Master’s degree in social work. She was awarded the Field Education Student of the Year for 2018-19 with Park University.
Shawn is the President of the Phi Alpha Rho Epsilon Honor Society at Park University. She is a certified Peer Mentor and Facilitator with the Red Cross Military and Veteran Caregiver Network. She is also a Peer Mentor with the VA Caregiver Program. She was chosen as a Caregiver Visionary winner for Caregiving.com and will be presented the award at the 2019 National Convention in Chicago. Shawn openly shares her caregiver story throughout the United States in hopes that all family caregivers will be recognized for the work they do to take care of our wounded veterans. Shawn has four daughters, two step-sons, and 4 grandchildren. She enjoys reading and traveling.
In this Episode, you will learn:
- Shawn’s background and experience
- Caregivers On The Homefront
- Shawn’s experience with her veteran husband’s suicide attempt
- Paying attention to the feeling that something is wrong
- Building a support network for times of crisis
- Need to educate family members
- Safety planning for all members of the family
- Post-attempt support
- Equipping caregivers with resources
- Question, Persuade, Respond gatekeeper prevention training
- Strength through adversity
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Caregivers On The Homefront Website
Caregivers On The Homefront on Social Media:
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Do you want to check out Duane’s latest book, Combat Vet Don’t Mean Crazy: Veteran Mental Health in Post-Military Life
