Chapter 1 One Vet’s Mental Health: A Personal Journey Toward Helping Veterans!

Introduction:

My name is Jamie Berry. I am a disabled veteran, husband, father, grandfather, and the Founder & Executive Director of Veteran & Enlisted Targeted Solutions (VETS). The focus of our nonprofit organization is dedicated to combating veteran homelessness and raising awareness about veteran suicide by addressing the root cause of both: mental health issues. Through this blog, I aim to share my personal journey with mental illness and the lessons I’ve learned. My goal is to inspire hope, encourage acceptance, and motivate others to seek the help they need.

A Lifetime of Struggle and Discovery:

Living with mental health challenges has been a lifelong journey filled with highs, lows, and moments of self-discovery. For years, I struggled with extreme mood swings—severe depression followed by periods of elation at times when I should have felt the opposite. I masked these struggles with panic-inducing efforts to appear “normal” to friends, family, and coworkers. At the time, this constant cycle of emotional extremes didn’t seem unusual to me—it was simply my norm. However, it led to embarrassment, denial, and confusion about my behavior. It wasn’t until I accepted my mental health challenges and sought help that I began to understand the “whys” behind my actions. This understanding brought light to what had once felt like a never-ending tunnel. My message is simple: there is hope. Seeking help—whether through a professional, a trusted friend, or a family member—can lead to life-changing improvements. Baby steps matter. The key is acceptance, communication, and effort.

Veteran Homelessness: A National Crisis

As of January 2024, there were 32,882 homeless veterans in the United States. While this represents a 7.5% decrease from January 2023, the number remains staggering and unacceptable. To put this into perspective: the number of homeless veterans surpasses the entire population of Fort Knox, including all troops, families, and civilian workers combined. The majority of these veterans did not envision homelessness after their service. Many of them face mental health challenges stemming from traumatic experiences before, during, or after their military service. The cycle of untreated mental illness often leads to substance abuse and, ultimately, homelessness. The VA has made strides in addressing veteran homelessness, but this is a problem that requires collective action. As a society, we must tackle the stigma surrounding mental health and create an environment where seeking help is seen as a strength, not a weakness.

The Power of Action:

Social media provides an interesting lens through which to view community priorities. Recently, I shared posts on my personal Facebook page about a basketball game and a boxing match, both of which garnered over 1,000 views within a day. However, when I announced the first fundraising drive for my nonprofit—an effort to create cold weather kits for homeless veterans—the post received only 200 views. This disparity is disheartening but not discouraging. I understand the skepticism many people feel toward nonprofits, particularly those that have failed to act with transparency and integrity. This only strengthens my resolve to ensure that VETS operates with honesty and dedication, proving that positive change is possible.

Call to Action:

How You Can Help If we want to reduce veteran homelessness and address the epidemic of veteran suicide, we must work together. Here are a few ways you can make a difference: 1. Spread Awareness: Share this blog or engage in conversations about mental health and veteran issues. 2. Donate: Support initiatives like our cold weather kits for homeless veterans. Every contribution helps. 3. Volunteer: Join efforts to support veterans in your community. 4. Advocate for Mental Health: Challenge the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage acceptance and openness.

Closing Thoughts:

The launch of Veteran & Enlisted Targeted Solutions on Veterans Day marked the beginning of a mission I’ve dreamed about for years. This is just the first of many blogs where I’ll share my journey, discuss the challenges veterans face, and outline how we can all help. To my fellow veterans: you are not alone. To our community: let’s come together to “work the problem” and create a better future for those who served. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Stay tuned, and always keep working the problem!