234 SelfWork: Careers That Kill: A Conversation with Veteran Mental Health Advocate and Widow Danica Thomas

So welcome to all of you on this second of a two-part series on veterans' suicide on this Memorial Day weekend, once again sponsored by Athletic Greens. The story you're going to hear from this young woman is one you'll likely never forget. Danica Thomas was the wife of a career military guy, Alan Thomas. But his military career ended in a traumatic way as did his life. And Danica, who married him and became a mom very early in her twenties, was faced with things she never imagined trying to handle or take in stride. Life has dealt her and her family a huge blow that also dramatically and tragically caused others' suffering. Danica has dedicated her life to trying to improve the mental health services that returning soldiers receive from the VA. You'll be moved, maybe angered, maybe shocked, and certainly saddened by her story, but you'll also hear her courage and determination to fight this fight.

Now Danica is a fierce activist for mental health treatment and expanded care for America's combat veterans. She is now the chairman of the Susan M Tillis foundation. She's a national ambassador for PREVENTS and a key advisor for the OpRES Suicide Prevention Fund. She and her two daughters live outside Charlotte, North Carolina. If you've had suicide in your family, if you've ever had those kinds of thoughts, please listen to this with caution; the suicide hotline is below.

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The National Suicide Prevention Hotline

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