**Trigger Warning** We discuss some pretty heavy topics such as veteran & first responder suicide, mental health, life stressors, etc... We also use some colorful language. Nothing here is overtly offensive, but you should use caution listening around children, or those sensitive to these subjects.

Join us as we discuss veteran and first responder mental health with Wes Drake from Camp Comrade and Jason and Patty Corthell from Guardian Grounds Ranch. These guests represent non-profit organizations focused on supporting veterans and first responders through initiatives related to mental health, community, and healing spaces in nature.

Why is this important? Answering the call to serve, whether in the military or as a first responder, comes with tremendous sacrifice and exposure to traumatic situations that can have lasting psychological impacts. Too often, the invisible wounds of mental health struggles go untreated for these heroes. Providing adequate mental health support for veterans and first responders is crucial - they put their lives on the line to protect us, and we owe it to them to ensure they get the care and resources they need to heal from the mental and emotional tolls of their service. By prioritizing veteran and first responder mental wellness, we can help prevent issues like PTSD, depression, substance abuse, and suicide from devastating those who have already given so much for their communities and country.

Key Discussion Points:

- The importance of community, camaraderie and peer support for veterans and first responders (timestamps 00:29:07, 00:29:58, 00:57:10)

- Why spouses and family members also need support and resources (timestamps 00:27:30, 00:36:01)

- How traumatic experiences can impact mental health for veterans, first responders and their families (timestamps 00:52:02, 00:53:54)

- The lack of dedicated inpatient and counseling resources tailored for veterans and first responders (timestamps 00:46:47, 01:19:07)

- How sharing stories and being vulnerable helps reduce stigma around mental health (timestamps 00:31:01, 00:55:55)

- The vision to provide trauma-informed counseling, peer support spaces and inpatient facilities specifically for veterans and first responders (timestamps 00:50:15, 01:18:00)

Guest Bios:

Wes Drake - Co-Founder of Camp Comrade, a non-profit providing recreational camps and peer support for veterans. Wes has experience as a combat veteran in the Army.

Jason Corthell - Jason is a fourth generation firefighter and Marine Corps Veteran. He is the President and CEO of Guardian Grounds Ranch and enjoys the pursuit of a better life for veterans and first responders.

Patty Corthell - Co-Founder of Guardian Grounds Ranch. As spouse of a veteran & first responder, Patty provides crucial perspective and support.

Key Quotes:

"I think it's a, like, bullsh*t answer when people say, hey, you know, they're just a wife of a first responder or husband of a first responder, like, they're not a part of that, you know, they they're not an actual veteran." (00:03:54)

"Everything happens for a reason, and we always wind up so much better in whatever it is that we wind up doing even if we thought it was something different." (00:06:51)

"When I see my family struggle, I'm like, this is because of what I do for a living. Like, it has to be." (00:27:40)

Links Mentioned:

Guardian Grounds Ranch

GGR Facebook