There are hundreds of great organizations doing what they can, where they can, to promote veteran mental health. These include mental health organizations, such as the Colorado Veterans Health and Wellness Agency in Colorado Springs, and Veterans Counseling Veterans in Orlando. They also include organizations that do not have a specific clinical mental health counseling focus, but are nevertheless focused on supporting veteran mental health and wellness. These organizations include programs like Veteran’s Path, which promotes wellness through mindfulness and meditation, and the Equus Effect, which accelerates awareness and healing by bringing horses and veterans together.
While there are certainly national organizations that pour millions of dollars into advertising and support, these organizations are supporting veterans and doing amazing work at the local level and on a limited budget. As a veteran myself, and a practicing clinical mental health counselor, I am always eager to support any organization working towards reducing the stigma against seeking mental health counseling and increasing the mental health and wellness of our nation’s service members after they leave the military.
This is the primary reason that I released the first Head Space and Timing book, Combat Vet Don’t Mean Crazy: Veteran Mental Health in Post-Military Life. To help veterans know that they’re not crazy. To help veterans to be able to explain to their families what they experienced, without having to give them the details themselves. And to help those who support veterans…therapists, prescribers, case managers, and community advocates…to understand more about the unique nature of the veteran mindset.
I’d like to bring both of those things together…my desire to spread the word about veteran mental health, and my desire to support organizations that are supporting veteran mental health and wellness. In order to do so, I’m looking for organizations that are interested in receiving free copies of the book, to use as they want. Potential uses include:
- Materials for discussion groups
- Giveaways for events
- Raffle prizes
- Tokens of appreciation for supporting the organization
So how does it work?
If an organization is interested in partnering to spread the word about veteran mental health, I will donate one free copy of the book for every five copies sold in a specific time period. In the beginning of this journey, that is going to be a month; if enough organizations are interested in participating, that could be reduced to a two-week or one-week time period.
Throughout each period, the partner organization will be highlighted on the Head Space and Timing social media channels, and mentioned on the weekly Head Space and Timing podcast. At the end of the period, the total number of books donated will be announced on the blog, podcast, and across social media, and the books will be delivered to the partner organization.
What’s the catch?
That’s it. There is no catch. If I sell fifty copies, the partner organization gets five books. If I sell five hundred copies, the partner organization gets one hundred books. It’s as simple as that. It doesn’t matter to me if the program is for-profit, non-profit, governmental, whatever; if it is supporting veteran mental health and wellness, then I’m all for it.
Are you a member of an organization that would like to participate in spreading the word about veteran mental health? Reach out to me through the Head Space and Timing Contact Page and we’ll get started.
Do you know an organization that you would like to recommend to become a partner? Share this post with them and ask them to reach out.
Collectively, we can work to end the stigma against seeking mental health counseling that keeps far too many veterans and their families suffering and alone. The psychological impact of combat does not make a veteran crazy…but it can make post-military life challenging, if it is not taken care of.
