406 – 22 Mohawks

Travis celebrated the eighth anniversary of Oscar Mike Radio with David and Stacey, the co-founders of 22 Mohawks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to veteran suicide prevention and mental health advocacy. David, is a 16-year Army veteran with deployments with the 10th Mountain and 82nd Airborne Divisions. David’s transition to civilian life, initially focused on finance, he soon encountered mental health challenges. Seeking help from the VA marked the start of his advocacy journey. David's story reflects the struggles many veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. He emphasizes the need for accessible mental health resources and support systems for veterans. Stacey, who is not a military veteran, shares her connection to veteran issues through her father, a Coast Guard veteran who died by suicide in 2009. Reconnecting with David, Stacey leveraged her event planning background to support 22 Mohawks. Her story highlights the importance of community and personal connections in driving meaningful change. David explained that the mohawk symbolizes the veteran experience and mental health stigma, encouraging people to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention. 22 Mohawks have expanded beyond mohawks and events. David and Stacey discuss services like dog training, parachuting events, and mental health support. Building trust with veterans is key to providing effective support during crises. David emphasizes the need for mental health training within the veteran community, citing programs like QPR and CISM. While acknowledging the VA's initiatives like VA Saves, he stresses the need for making information accessible to veterans. Stacey encourages civilians to support veterans with care and empathy, emphasizing the impact of being present. The conversation shifts to the importance of connecting veterans with their families. 22 Mohawks fosters an environment where veterans can share experiences and feel understood, crucial for healing. Go to https://22mohawks.com/ to learn more about the mission and how you can help. Thank you, Dave and Stacey, for talking with me.