Kruse Corner Podcast

For this episode I am joined by, Six, a Marine Corps Veteran and co-host for Cancelled for Maintenance Podcast. We sit down to talk about transitioning out of the military, the misperceptions and stereotypes about what a veteran looks and acts like, poor leadership, mental health, and how that "shut up" and "keep pushing" mentality the military teaches leads many to struggle and suffer in silence both in and out of the service. We cover a ton in this episode so make sure you stay until the very end. If you're interested in reaching out to Six, collaborating with his podcast, or listening to episodes by Cancelled for Maintenance Podcast, check them out on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @canxformaintenancepodcast, or at Cancelled for Maintenance Podcast. You can also reach them via their website at www.cancelledformaintenance.com/.

When I returned from my deployment to Afghanistan, I struggled to find the same comforts and connections I had found while in a combat zone. Then once I returned to a civilian life, I struggled to find where I belonged. When I finally opened up about feeling lost and out of place to a friend, I was told "home is where your heart is." It was at that moment that I realized that I had no idea where that was.

Between leadership that could care less if an individual is suffering and veterans that only look to tear others down for the ways in which they choose to heal or help; no wonder so many choose silence over opening up. Add in the relentless and too often hateful world of social media and you have a perfect concoction for convincing someone they don't matter. We can do better. We must. People are speaking up, they're reaching out. But if we only hear them and we're not truly listening, are we really hearing them at all?

Is mental illness something you can see? Does a person's outer appearance speak for the pain inside? Some think so, however, others are too aware of the masks we place over invisible wounds.

Empathy. Something I didn't expect to find in the Army. Aside from making the deep emotional bonds I had possible, it helped me to truly understand the pain of those I served with. A gift and a curse, in so many ways.

Suicide. A word surrounded by stigma. An action that triggers a multitude of emotions. A daunting thought. Often an unpredictable end. It is a tough discussion to have, but a discussion that needs to take place, nonetheless. If we can't talk about it, how will anyone truly understand.

Warning: This episode may trigger some listeners as the host covers her experience with losing friends to suicide and discusses suicidal thinking.

Depression, anxiety, and a whole lot of pills. My struggle with finding care and managing the invisible war occurring inside my head.

*Disclaimer: The host is not a medical professional or engaged in rendering counseling or other professional services, and the views presented in this episode are not meant to be used in place of recommendation or diagnoses by professionals, nor are they intended to be used in place of therapy, offer medical advice, or give emergency assistance. 

Coming home from a deployment, leaving the military, transitioning back into a civilian life; each a challenge in itself. How do you find purpose when you're not sure of who you are, or where you fit in?