SALUTE Speaks Ariel Staffin

Welcome back for Season 2 of SALUTE Speaks! As National Nurses Week wraps up, I am delighted to share this conversation I had with two incredible nursing students, Danielle Morse, Castleton University '21, and Payton Deal, University of South Carolina '23. Throughout our discussion, these two women talk about what inspired them to become to pursue nursing, some obstacles they've had to overcome, some myths about the field they think should be debunked, and some words of wisdom for other current and future nursing students. If you want to reach out to them to ask questions or follow their journey, feel free to contact them on Instagram:

Danielle: @d_aniell_e

Payton: @paytontdeal

Back with a follow up episode to our last one and sharing one of my favorite holiday traditions supporting our incredible men and women in service!

This week starts a new series about ways to support our heroes during the holiday season. This episode is about supporting our military members.
For the resources I referenced in the episode...
Wreaths Across America: wreathsacrossamerica.org
Full Circle Home: fullcirclehome.org
Locate a Local Military Installation: installations.militaryonesource.mil

Send Cards to Troops
Operation Gratitude: Operationgratitude.com
A Million Thanks: Amillionthanks.org
Adopt A Soldier: americasadoptasoldier.org/we-care
Others: www.minted.com/lp/send-christmas-cards-to-soldiers

For our fourth and final Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month episode, I am joined by two wonderful mental health advocates. The first is Allison Harrison, the founder of the initiative Know Science, No Stigma, an organization focused on erasing the negative connotation behind mental illness. Our second wonderful guest is Kylie Blakely, an advocate for Stop Soldier Suicide. Both of these ladies have lots of experience researching and helping others struggling with mental illness, especially our servicemembers.

Topics in this episode include stigma, veteran suicide, and mental health during COVID.

I hope you find this podcast episode informational and helpful if you are struggling with mental health issues or if a loved one is struggling. These are good resources for anyone, but especially our servicemen and women as we work to bring those suicide rates down.

Want to connect with Allison and Kylie on social media? You can find her on Instagram:
Allison: @allisonharrison34, @KnowScienceNoStigma
Kylie: @misskylieblakely

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

For our third Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month episode, we are featuring Madelanah McFarland. She has personal experience dealing with PTSD, is studying psychology with hopes of one day being medically qualified to provide mental health therapy, and has started her own non-profit called Boots on the Ground NC that helps soldiers and veterans with mental illnesses. Topics in this episode include PTSD, stigma in servicemembers, and tips for calming down amidst a PTSD attack.

I hope you find this podcast episode informational and helpful if you are struggling with mental health issues or if a loved one is struggling. These are good resources for anyone, but especially our servicemen and women as we work to bring those suicide rates down.

Want to connect with Maddy on social media? You can find her on Instagram:
Instagram: boots.on.the.ground.nc; misswilson.nc 

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

For our second Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month epsiode, we are featuring Jenna Martorana and Diamond Coleman. These two women have lots of personal and professional experience dealing with their own mental health disorders and helping others find help. Topics in this episode include stress, stigma, and tips for improving your mental health.

I hope you find this podcast episode informational and helpful if you are struggling with mental health issues or if a loved one is struggling. These are good resources for anyone, but especially our servicemen and women as we work to bring those suicide rates down.

Want to connect with Jenna and Diamond on social media? You can find them on Instagram:
Jenna: @twirlergirl101
Diamond: @_monstermadness

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255