Real Talk: Mental Health By Kelly Williams, LMFT, Clinic Director, and Arturo Garcia, U.S. Air Force Veteran/Outreach Coordinator The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at VVSD, San Diego www.vvsd.net/cohenclinics
Air Force Veteran: Letter To Self
As a Clinic Director at a mental health clinic for veterans, service members and military family members, I hear the sacrifices that our veterans, service members and families have made for our country daily. During this time of year, as we celebrate Veterans Day, I reflected on how the rest of the world may not be as privileged to hear the stories and experiences that I have been hearing first-hand. Therefore, I asked our new Outreach Coordinator U.S. Air Force Veteran Arturo “Art” Garcia to shed some light on his journey from civilian to his Air Force service to retired Veteran. I am hoping that his Letter to Self can help others understand all of our collective appreciation for Veterans when we say “Thank You for Your Service” every November 11, this year and beyond. Dear Art, I know you’ve made the decision to join the Air Force. Right now, you don’t even know what that means. You feel excited, nervous, and a bit afraid because you have no clue what you are doing. Those feelings are valid, and I am writing to let you know you’ve made the best life decision. You’re probably wondering what the future has in store for you. To protect the sacred timeline (MCU reference), I won’t tell you what will happen but rather share some words of advice. 1. Learn to say yes (and no). Early in your career, there will be ample opportunities to step up and get a job done. This will take you to places you never imagined you would venture to. It will also put you in situations where you do not want to be, but the task needs to be done. Either way, you will benefit from those experiences. So, say yes whenever someone asks for a volunteer. I say that with the caveat that you need to be able to say no when it doesn’t feel right, or you aren’t going to be able to do the job to the best of your ability. 2. Work on yourself. There will be plenty of times when you will tell yourself that you are too busy to take care of your personal goals or your health. You will eventually 40 WWW.SanDiegoVeteransMagazine.com / November 2023