Beating the Odds of 22 Through Veteran Suicide Intervention with Mikel Brooks

  Mikel Brooks is a Purple Heart and Valor decorated Army veteran and the founder of We Are The 22. We Are The 22 is an organization composed of veterans who have grown weary of losing more soldiers at home than they did in combat. He was involved in two combat tours, one of which he was injured, which ultimately led to his medical retirement. Mikel started the group because he experienced first-hand what it was like to suffer from PTSD and substance abuse. More than that, he also experienced what it was like to not have any purpose in life, and his group seeks to change all of that - one veteran at a time.   Mikel joins us to share his inspiration in starting We Are The 22. He describes his life as a soldier on duty, the injury that retired him, and the substance abuse that followed. He discusses the importance of having a purpose for soldiers and how the majority of veterans feel aimless after retirement. Mikel also explains why money isn’t the real problem for veterans and why he was initially critical of the VA and their processes.       “A soldier has to have a purpose. You take that away from them and they fall apart.” - Mikel Brooks       In This Episode of Surviving Me:         Connect with Mikel Brooks           Help Military Veterans Share Their Story   Thanks for tuning into the Surviving Me Podcast, the show for military veterans find the support they need to survive the battle within. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe to the show and leave a review. For more stories and resources for our brothers-in-arms, be sure to follow us on Facebook and visit our website. Don’t forget to share your favorite episode to help us raise awareness for our brothers-in-arms.   And remember - you are not alone. There is support. There is help. There is a purpose in life after the military.     DISCLAIMER: This content is created purely to help veterans tell their story and bring awareness to post combat-related disorders including, but not limited to, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. The Surviving Me hosts are not, nor claim to be, medical doctors, psychologists, or psychiatrists and should not be held responsible for any claims, medical advice, or therapy/treatment recommendations mentioned on this podcast. Any advice shared by the hosts or their guests is strictly for purposes of bringing awareness to the veteran community and the services available. Please speak with your doctor or medical professional before taking any advice or starting any therapy or treatment program discussed or shared on this podcast.