Ep 2 | The Mission After Service: Connecting Veterans To Hope, Purpose And Community

Ep 2 | The Mission After Service: Connecting Veterans To Hope, Purpose And Community

This episode of the "Behavioral Health Brief" offers up a wonderful conversation between Jim Callaghan, President and CEO of TURN Behavioral Health Services and Jon Aasted, Veteran Engagement Coordinator for Mayor Todd Gloria's office in San Diego. Jon shares his journey from joining the Navy after a bomb threat incident to his current role, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships and resources like the Wounded Warrior Project. They discuss the significant challenges veterans face, such as job transition, food insecurity, and housing instability, while also highlighting the potential impact of hosting the 2029 Invictus Games in San Diego. Jon also stresses the need for veterans to ask for help and the role of community organizations in providing essential support. Outline | Jon Aasted's Journey to Service * Jim Callaghan introduces Jon Aasted, the Veteran Engagement Coordinator for Mayor Todd Gloria's administration, and asks about his background. * Jon shares his decision to join the Navy after finishing his Associate's degree in Santa Clarita, including a memorable experience with a bomb threat during his MEPs screening. * Jon describes his initial excitement and the long days he spent at MEPs, which included being locked in a building for 12 hours. * Jon explains his career path in the Navy, including his role as an intelligence specialist and his ongoing service as a reservist. Current Role and Community Impact * Jon discusses his current role in Mayor Todd Gloria's office, emphasizing the importance of community partnerships and organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project. * Jim and Jon talk about the challenges veterans face, such as finding jobs that provide purpose and dealing with issues like food insecurity and housing instability. * Jon highlights the importance of connecting veterans to resources and the role of community organizations in providing immediate help. * Jon shares his personal interests, including jiu jitsu and spending time with his family, and how these activities help him unwind. Challenges and Opportunities for Veterans * Jim and Jon discuss the significant number of veterans and active military personnel in San Diego and the various challenges they face. * Jon emphasizes the importance of finding jobs that align with veterans' skills or passions and the role of community organizations in bridging the gap between military experience and civilian employment. * Jon mentions his work with organizations like Vet Tap, which helps veterans with resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and interview skills. * Jim shares information about the Courage to Call program, which lost its funding from the County of San Diego but is now expanding its services with new donors. Invictus Games and San Diego's Role * Jim and Jon discuss the Invictus Games, an Olympic-style event for wounded, ill, and injured veterans from 25 different countries. * Jon explains the significance of hosting the games in San Diego and the positive impact it would have on the community. * Jon shares his optimism about San Diego's chances of winning the bid to host the 2029 Invictus Games, despite competition from South Korea and Denmark. * Jon highlights the strong community support for veterans in San Diego and the unique opportunities the city offers. Community Support and Coordination * Jon discusses the importance of community-based organizations in supporting veterans and the role of government in providing resources. * Jon shares a personal story about helping a veteran in need by connecting him with the Support The Enlisted Project for food and clothing. * Jim talks about the Courage to Call program's efforts to provide food and clothing to veterans, including their partnership with Feeding San Diego. * Jon emphasizes the need for veterans to ask for help and the importance of community coordination in providing comprehensive support. Audience Questions and Final Thoughts * Jim and Jon answer questions from the audience, including how Jon's own transition out of the military shaped his advocacy and decision-making for veterans. * Jon shares his journey from being a police officer to working in local government and his connection with Mayor Todd Gloria. * Jon discusses the importance of networking and resumes in transitioning from military to civilian life and his efforts to help other veterans. * Jim and Jon conclude the podcast by emphasizing the importance of community support and the availability of resources for veterans in San Diego. About TURN Behavioral Health Services: Since our founding in 1978, TURN Behavioral Health Services has become an established provider in prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. We do this by offering innovative services focused on mental health, supportive housing, substance use disorders and assisting those involved in the justice system. Our clients share the commitment to a life of resilience and thriving. TURN is a leading 501(c)3 non-profit agency with the goal of improving lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by behavioral health challenges. Our diverse workforce and client-centered programs embody our guiding principles of People, Culture, and Growth. TURN operates 60+ community-based programs throughout California for people who either cannot afford privately paid services or for whom services are not otherwise available. To Learn more about the life changing people and services from TURN, please visit their website:  TURN Behavioral Health Services [https://turnbhs.org/] About Cloudcast Media   "Behavioral Health Brief" is produced by Cloudcast Media and joins its line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit Cloudcast Media [https://cloudcastmedia.us/] Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting | Listen Where You Live.

Ep 1 | The Courage To Call: Healing Our Heroes On Their Road To Wellness

In the very first episode of the Behavioral Health Brief, Jim Callaghan, President and CEO of TURN Behavioral Health Services, hosts a detailed interview with retired US Navy Captain Sheldon Margolis, exploring Margolis’s extensive 30-year military career, his leadership experiences, and his ongoing advocacy for veterans. Margolis recounts his entry into the Navy through the ROTC program, initially intending to serve only four years, but ultimately building a distinguished career that included combat service in Vietnam, where he led river patrol units and was awarded honors such as the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and three Legions of Merit. He describes the challenges of leading young sailors in combat, the emotional toll of sending others into danger, and the long-term psychological impacts of war. Margolis discusses his post-military transition, including leadership roles at the Veterans Museum at Balboa Park and as CFO for the Navy League San Diego Council, as well as his work with Lockheed Martin overseeing the Aegis weapons system. He shares his personal journey with PTSD, noting that he only recognized its effects after retiring from work, and credits the VA and mental health professionals for helping him address longstanding symptoms. Margolis emphasizes the importance of acknowledging mental health struggles, encouraging veterans to seek help, and highlights the role of peer-to-peer support programs like Courage to Call, which provides confidential assistance to veterans and active duty personnel in San Diego. The conversation also addresses broader issues facing veterans, such as the stigma around seeking mental health support, the generational nature of military service, and the need for community and legislative support. Margolis and Callahan discuss Senate Bill 1407, which proposes exempting military retirement pay from California state taxes to help retain veterans in the state, noting the economic and social benefits of such policies. Margolis advocates for greater community involvement in supporting veterans, stresses the value of programs like Courage to Call, and shares personal stories about family, the significance of memorials like Mount Soledad, and the transformative experience of participating in the Honor Flight program. The meeting concludes with audience questions, where Margolis reiterates the importance of speaking up about mental health, seeking support, and the collective responsibility to care for those who have served. Introduction and Overview  * Jim Callaghan introduces himself as the President and CEO of TURN Behavioral Health Services, emphasizing the organization's mission to improve lives. * The podcast episode focuses on courage, particularly the courage to serve, lead, and seek help. * Jim introduces the guest, retired US Captain Sheldon Margolis, a Vietnam War combat veteran and lifelong public servant. * Sheldon's military achievements are highlighted, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and multiple Legions of Merit awards. Sheldon's Naval Career and Early Leadership Opportunities * Sheldon shares his initial lack of interest in serving but his desire to go to college, which led him to the Navy ROTC program. * He describes his early leadership roles, starting as a division officer on a ship and later being deployed to Vietnam. * Sheldon recounts his experience leading a river division in Vietnam, managing 60 to 70 people, and the challenges of sending young men into combat. * He reflects on the mental impact of sending young soldiers into dangerous situations and the long-term effects on his own mental health. Major Achievements and Training Commands * Sheldon discusses his pride in running major training centers, including the Aegis Training Center and Fleet Combat Training Center. * He explains the significance of the Aegis Weapon System and its impact on the Navy's surface combatants. * Sheldon describes the scale of his training operations, involving hundreds of people and multiple ships around the world. * He shares his transition from the Navy to Lockheed, where he managed the international and domestic supply chain for the Aegis systems. Experiences with PTSD and Seeking Help * Sheldon reveals that he did not realize he was suffering from PTSD until he stopped working and the symptoms persisted. * He describes the process of acknowledging and seeking help for his PTSD, including working with a clinician and taking medication. * Sheldon emphasizes the importance of veterans admitting their problems and seeking help, whether through the VA or other organizations. * He shares his experience with the Honor Flight program, which helped him acknowledge and address his PTSD. The Brief | Impact of Military Retirement Taxes and Senate Bill 1407 * Jim highlights the issue of California taxing military retirement pay and the proposed Senate Bill 1407 to exempt it. * Sheldon supports the bill, arguing that it would help retain veterans in California and improve their quality of life. * They discuss the broader impact of military retirement taxes on veterans' economic stability and housing insecurity. * Jim encourages listeners to support the bill and the Turn Behavioral Health Services' Courage to Call program. The Importance of the Courage to Call Program * Sheldon praises the Courage to Call program for its mental health and other support services for veterans and active duty personnel. * Jim shares the challenges of losing county funding for the program but highlights recent successes in securing new funding. * They discuss the importance of peer-to-peer support and the program's role in helping veterans and active duty personnel without reporting issues to their superiors. * Sheldon encourages veterans and active duty personnel to seek help and not hide their struggles. Personal Reflections and Community Support * Sheldon reflects on the generational aspect of military service and the need for a draft to ensure a broad range of experiences. * He shares his pride in his son's military career and the importance of community support for veterans. * Jim and Sheldon discuss the significance of the Mount Soledad Memorial and its role in honoring veterans' stories. * They conclude with a call to action for listeners to support veterans and active duty personnel, emphasizing the importance of speaking up and seeking help. About TURN Behavioral Health Services: Since our founding in 1978, TURN Behavioral Health Services has become an established provider in prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services. We do this by offering innovative services focused on mental health, supportive housing, substance use disorders and assisting those involved in the justice system. Our clients share the commitment to a life of resilience and thriving. TURN is a leading 501(c)3 non-profit agency with the goal of improving lives of individuals, families, and communities impacted by behavioral health challenges. Our diverse workforce and client-centered programs embody our guiding principles of People, Culture, and Growth. TURN operates 60+ community-based programs throughout California for people who either cannot afford privately paid services or for whom services are not otherwise available. About Cloudcast Media   "Behavioral Health Brief" is produced by Cloudcast Media and joins its line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.   For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting | Listen Where You Live.