As Mental Health Awareness Month concludes, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges faced by veterans and others coping with PTSD from traumatic experiences. In a recent episode of the “Ones Ready” podcast, hosted by a team of U.S. Air Force Special Warfare operators, Dr. Tim Vermillion, a behavioral health expert with the Veterans Affairs Administration, offered valuable insights on managing mental health and building resilience in the face of stress and trauma. He emphasized how untreated mental health issues can severely affect quality of life.

Studies have shown there is a critical link between mental health and substance use. Earlier this year, Dr. Vermillion spoke at PDFNJ’s Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day Learning Series webinar, “When Addiction & Mental Health Collide.” He explored the connection between mental health issues and opioid use disorder, discussed prevention strategies and highlighted evidence-based therapies effective in treating co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders.

It is vital to recognize that seeking help is the first step toward healing. With the right tools and support, veterans and others struggling with mental health challenges can find a path toward recovery and avoid the pitfalls of substance misuse.

To listen to Dr. Vermillion’s full interview on the “Ones Ready” podcast, click here