Monthly Mental Health Spotlight: From Service to Self-Healing: One Veteran’s Mental Health Recovery Journey

 July/August 2025 Edition

🧭 Feature Spotlight: Joe Matulewicz

From Darkness to Direction

Author’s Note: This month’s feature was written by me, Caralyn Dreyer. I had the privilege of interviewing Joe and writing this piece based on our conversation. His story is shared here with his permission.

The transition from military life to civilian reality is often painted as a proud homecoming, but for many veterans, it’s a quiet unraveling. Beneath the surface of structure, service, and strength, there can be confusion, loss of identity, and the haunting echo of unresolved battles. This month, we’re spotlighting someone who knows that terrain well. Joe’s story is one of honesty, resilience, and the ongoing work of redefining what it means to heal, not just for himself, but for the community he now serves.

🕯 Transitioning from the Military: Letting Go of Perfection

Joe shared that adjusting to life after service came with unexpected emotional weight. The image of perfection, so ingrained in military culture, became difficult to shake. He described how, after retiring, he realized it was finally “okay to not be okay”, a shift that challenged everything he thought he had to be.

One of the hardest parts was slowing down enough to actually begin the healing process. “Being too busy creates challenges with the healing process,” he explained. “We need to slow down to heal.”

Therapy, for the first time at the VA, marked a major turning point. That experience helped him better understand how his past still influenced his present pain. He gained awareness not just of what he had been through, but also how to move forward from it.

🛠 From Pain to Purpose: Creating Veterans Benefits Navigator

Joe's difficult personal experience with the VA system inspired him to help other veterans feel less overwhelmed. That’s how Veterans Benefits Navigator was born. He designed his VBN as a “comprehensive flashlight” to help simplify what can often feel like a complicated and intimidating process.

He knows firsthand how hard it can be to ask for help. And he believes no one should have to face that alone.

🧍‍♂️ Breaking the Silence: Men’s Mental Health and Stigma

Joe also opened up about the stigma men face when it comes to mental health. Pride, he said, can often become a barrier to getting support. “It’s okay to admit that you’re not okay,” he said. “It’s okay to not have all the answers.”

He emphasized the importance of trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone. For many men, that starts with being honest about how they're really coping, and why. “Identify the common denominator, it’s ourselves in our suffering,” he shared. “You’ve got to be ready for help and want change.”

For Joe, healing is an ongoing process that requires awareness, action, and community. He pointed to the generational messaging that tells men to “have it all together” and encouraged others to rewrite that story. “Don’t be your own storm.”

💬 Final Words

Joe’s story reflects the complex, ongoing nature of recovery, especially for those navigating trauma, transition, and stigma. His work now serves as both a resource and a reminder: you don’t have to carry it all alone.

💼 Bio

Joe is a 20-year retired U.S. Air Force veteran, husband, and father of two, including a child with special needs, receiving VA Helpless Child benefits. After retiring during the pandemic, Joe found himself navigating the confusing maze of the VA system, confronting a toxic post-military job, and facing a battle with alcohol. Now, nearly three years sober, he channels his experience into Veterans Benefits Navigator (VBN), a platform that helps other veterans understand their benefits and find support beyond the uniform.

Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates from me, click here.

Disclaimer for Monthly Mental Health Spotlight:

The guests featured in the Monthly Mental Health Spotlight on Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well with Mental Illness share their personal experiences and insights about mental health. Their stories are meant to inspire, raise awareness, and foster dialogue. 

Please note that the views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of Darkness to Dialogue. We encourage readers to seek professional guidance if they are struggling with mental health concerns. This platform is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice.