Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

Honoring Veterans This Month: A Veterans Day Feature November is Veterans and Military Families Month, a time to honor the strength, sacrifice, and ongoing mental health challenges that service members face after leaving active duty. Drawing on my doctoral research on veterans’ mental health and personal experience knowing many veterans, I’ve seen how invisible wounds often follow them home, shaping their recovery and daily lives. This month, I’m honored to feature their voices on my blog. Today’s story comes from  Damien Celaya , an Army veteran whose honesty about survival, numbness, and recovery cuts through the stereotypes and speaks directly to the heart of what healing really means. Interview with Damien Celaya Q: Can you share how your military experience shaped your understanding of mental health? "I was already familiar with mental health before I ever wore a uniform. Growing up with a mom who fought her own demons taught me early how deep those battles can go. So when I ...

    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 i...