Hello everyone,
We are Voices Unheard, a passionate group united by a shared purpose. Our mission is to raise the voices of those who feel misunderstood, silenced, or forgotten in their mental health journey.
We have joined forces with Mental Health America, an organization that shares our dedication to advocate for mental health awareness, education, and access to proper care. Together, we strive to promote attention and understanding on the challenges our military face after combat and in their everyday day lives. We hope to bring love, compassion, and change to our communities and the conversations around mental health.
Military personnel are exposed to many potential stressors, particularly combat-related ones, which can lead to PTSD. While the Mental Health Association (MHA) supports veterans and current military personnel through its own programs, they have also collaborated with the VA on various initiatives. These initiatives include promoting mental health awareness and providing screening tools for veterans. Mental Health America works to break down the stigma of mental health among current military personnel and their families by providing valuable information and assistance with proper care. However, many veterans remain reluctant to seek help or lack access to mental health due to various reasons, including embarrassment about the stigma attached to terms like “Mental Health” or “PTSD,” as well as a lack of information about available resources.
Recent data shows us that mental health challenges in the U.S. military are rising substantially. According to PubMed, between 2019 and 2023, more than 541,672 active-duty members were diagnosed with at least one mental health disorder using 966,227 diagnoses total during that time period. An article in Army Times lets us know in 2023 alone, mental health disorders such as anxiety ailment and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) accounted for 54.8 % of all active-duty members, more than any other category of illness. These conditions can take a lasting toll on individuals, families, relationships, and entire communities. Our mission is to ensure that no one has to face those challenges alone. Mental Health America (MHA) could play a crucial role in helping address the shortage of care and support. MHA maintains a large network of partners nationwide who are able to connect people with local mental health resources.
Your generosity can inspire hope in the hearts of those who need healing the most. Donations to the GoFundMe for Mental Health America make a powerful difference in the lives of those suffering with mental health pain including our nation’s veterans. Your support helps expand access to critical mental health resources, provide free screenings and educational materials, along with connecting individuals to care they might not otherwise seek out. Every contribution, no matter how small can guide us closer to a world where mental health is valued, voices are heard, and support is within everyone’s reach. Hand in hand, we can nurture harmony and achieve lasting impact.
A member of our group is a Gulf War veteran who, after leaving the military in 1992, reintegrated into civilian life without realizing he exhibited signs of PTSD. His family and friends were among the first to notice his struggles. When approached about their concerns, he became defensive and embarrassed by the association with PTSD.
After several incidents, such as failed relationships and minor brushes with law enforcement, he sought help through a program supported by Mental Health America and the VA, where he became educated about mental health and PTSD. He was diagnosed with PTSD, accepted his diagnosis, received treatment through therapy, and has since become an advocate for mental health awareness.
Sources:
Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division, (2024, December 1). Update: Diagnoses of mental health disorders among active component U.S. Armed Forces, 2019-2023. Medical Surveillance Monthly Report. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39736156/
Ceder, R. (2025, January 3). 40% rise in mental health diagnosis among troops, report finds. Military Times. Retrieved from