Speakers
- Philip Arnold
- Art Honegger
- Steven Smith
- Pello Walker
Summary
Nearly 1 in 4 active duty members showed signs of a mental health condition, according to a 2014 JAMA Psychiatry study. The study found the rate of PTSD to be 15 times higher than civilians and the rate of depression to be five times higher than civilians. For our November monthly General Meeting and in honor of Veterans Day, we had voices of lived experience in our community share what programs we have in place at NAMI CC to support the needs of those who served.
Philip Arnold’s active duty was from 1965 to 1969 with tours of duty in West Germany and Turkey with the United States Air Force Security Service. What he gained from military service as lived experience that saved his life and changed it for the better was much needed self-confidence, a respect for authority, and a personal understanding of the many blessings enjoyed by Americans that other countries and cultures do not experience. What he does now to serve other Veterans is to lend an earnest ear of understanding to restore lost trust on an individual basis as the NAMI CC Veterans Outreach Coordinator, providing resources to the Veterans at the Delta Veterans Group (DVG) Stand Down on the Delta event this year.
Former NAMI CC President Art Honegger served as an officer in the Navy from 1967 through 1969. He has been privileged to serve Veterans less fortunate in the Stand Down on the Delta event for the last several years and has been involved in helping Veterans in many other civic and non profit events throughout his adult life, being awarded the 2022 NAMI CC VETERANS CHANGE AGENT AWARD for his long-time commitment in support of Veterans.
NAMI CC African American Uplift Program staff member Steven Smith is 33 years old and served the United States Army from 2014-2017. In his role, he has spoken at the Veterans Administration hospital to share NAMI CC resources.
Pello Walker served from 1976 to 1980 in the U.S. Army. He is the Veteran in the Women owned Veteran owned ‘Certified Green’ business of Daily Digital Imaging. Now he is a Social Justice Warrior, still a man of action with a sense of urgency to help his community and fellow human beings that are less fortunate.
NAMI CC Executive Director Gigi Crowder partners monthly with America’s Heroes Group radio podcast show to address Mental Health Matters. America’s Heroes Group is a nationally acclaimed radio show that creates a strong veterans network, honoring and respecting the sacrifice of Veterans.
NAMI Homefront is a free, 6-session educational program for families, caregivers and friends of military service members and veterans with mental health conditions. Based on the nationally recognized NAMI Family-to-Family program, NAMI Homefront is designed to address the unique needs of family, caregivers and friends of those who have served or are currently serving our country. The program is taught by trained family members/Veterans with mental health conditions.
