In this episode
In this inspiring video, Richard Michael Youhan shares his journey to mental health and helping other veterans. Richard was born in Yonkers, NY in 1980 and grew up in Southern California before enlisting in the Navy Submarine fleet in 2001. He served multiple submarine deployments to Western Pacific and Indian Ocean and started out as a culinary specialist before moving to supply chain. After leaving the navy in 2010, Richard has been a supply chain professional and lived in various parts of the US.
However, mental health played a significant role in Richard's life, and he was diagnosed with severe anxiety, depression, and PTSD in 2014. He learned how to attend therapy and started taking focused mental health sessions and proper medications. In 2015, Richard left his wife and two kids in the middle of the night and was gone for three months before checking himself into an inpatient hospital. He was then diagnosed with bipolar 1 and borderline personality disorder.
Despite the overwhelming diagnosis, Richard found relief in knowing and started attending large group sessions and small group therapy where he was able to help himself and others. He got certified as a peer counselor through the VA, where he facilitates meetings for himself and other veterans, including helping with intakes at the VA. Richard's story is inspiring and a testament to the importance of seeking help and supporting others.
