OUR BLOG

From Rochester to the front lines, my journey as a 19D Cavalry Scout began at 17 and left me wounded by a sniper and PTSD at 20. Now, as new conflicts arise, I see the cycle repeating—not just for soldiers, but for the families watching them go. As a veteran mental health advocate and speaker, I’m fighting to ensure we don’t repeat the "22 a day" suicide pandemic. We must protect the mental health of this new generation. History shouldn't repeat its failures.

Supporting someone in crisis isn't about having the perfect answers; it’s about the power of presence. This guide from Lion Speaking Agency breaks down how to navigate the most difficult conversations with empathy—from the importance of active listening to asking direct, life-saving questions without judgment. Learn how to bridge the gap between despair and hope by validating feelings and connecting loved ones to professional resources like the 988 Lifeline.

Veteran speakers bring powerful lived experience to mental health advocacy. By sharing honest stories of PTSD, recovery, and resilience, they reduce stigma, inspire action, and encourage others to seek help. In this post, David Kendrick explores how veteran voices create lasting impact in communities and spark meaningful change in mental health awareness.

PTSD and trauma are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same—& understanding the difference matters. In this post, David Kendrick breaks down how trauma is a natural emotional response to distressing events, while PTSD is a diagnosable condition that can develop afterward. Drawing from personal experience and professional insight, David explores how symptoms can show up differently for everyone & why recognizing these distinctions is a powerful first step toward h

“You look fine.”  That’s what I used to hear when I parked in a handicap space. People couldn’t see the nerve damage, the bone spurs, the sleepless nights. They couldn’t feel the bullet that shattered my femur at 20 years old or the battles I fought in therapy just to stay alive after I got back from Iraq. Mental health for veterans is complicated—and talking about it? Even more so. If you want to support a veteran in your life, especially when it comes to mental health, star

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Veterans deal with a major mental health symptom called PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is a mental health symptom that many survivors of combat live with. As a Purple Heart veteran , I live with PTSD .  On June 17th, 2007 I was shot by a sniper during an ambush outside of Sadr City in Baghdad. The symptoms never go completely away, but they do become manageable over time. Speaking from my lived experience, here are 3 mental he

There are so many “awareness” campaigns in today’s world. Breast cancer awareness, autism awareness, bullying awareness…but what does it all really mean? What should we be looking out for? When should we be looking for it? Who should we be contacting when we find it? All questions that anyone would have when we are told to be aware of something. When it comes to our mental health, awareness is an especially onerous task.  And why? Because it’s something we can see. We can fee

ADA law is something that we all know about, but we really don’t know what it is.

Let me set the scene: you hear the significant introduction of the speaker, you clap when they walk up to the stage, then after two...

A blog dedicated to the hard mental health conversations we can have with the people in our lives.

For years after the War on Terror, veterans live with physical pain. Pain is a contributing factor to suicide and substance abuse for vets.

I know, it sounds like I’m bragging. Allow me to explain first. I don’t think people remember that the War on Terror lasted 20 years....

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…no it’s Superman!!! For a lot of kids and adults, Superman represents everything that they would like to see in...

Do you have a New Years Resolution? Have you set one in the past? Have you ever tried to set one for your mental health?

I deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the 3-61st Cavalry Regiment. I deployment was during what the New York Times called the deadliest year...

“I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders at times. I know I brush it off and make it seem like pressure...

This was a live conversation held June 24th 2020 David: I'd like to start by letting Ms. Huff introduce herself and let us know about her...

Once a Cav Scout...always a Cav Scout. My life didn't begin until I became a Cavalry Scout in the United States Army. A decision I made...

How many of your PERSONAL hours have you spent on your spouse (your employer) just to feel like your opinion/hard work was disregarded?

WOW! That is all I can say about that last month. I've been through a lot and I'm sure you have as well. We're still battling COVID,...