Navy Vet Helps Others with Mental Illness Stay Connected

“Sometimes, it's not about catching the major physical health issue,” she said. “It's catching that small clue showing a poor quality of life, a suicidal behavior or the start of depression and then helping guide a Veteran back to where they're able to thrive.”

Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health treatment in VA, and rates of suicide are higher among Veterans than the general population, according to VA’s Quality Enhancement Research Initiative on mental health and suicide prevention. Albert recalls helping one such Veteran.

“It was the first time this Veteran came to see me,” remembered Albert. “He was starting to go down a horrible path with PTSD, depression and anxiety, causing him to start drinking again.” 

While friends and family are often the first to notice signs that a Veteran is going through challenges, sometimes it takes another Veteran to help them make a change.

“I connected him with other Veterans that he could talk to and introduced him to the American Legion,” she recalls. “He finally recognized something wasn’t right and he needed help. He even volunteered for our inpatient Addictive Disorders Treatment Program and he's doing well now.”

Albert has continually demonstrated her commitment to her fellow service members by emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and helping Veterans, particularly those struggling with PTSD and depression, connect with support networks.

“Being a Veteran myself, I'd always wanted to work at the VA,” said Albert. “It was kind of like going home for me. I'm serving my brothers and sisters, people who served during, before and after me."

She chose to enlist in the Navy right after high school because she was impressed by her recruiter’s honest portrayal of boot camp and the disciplined life that awaited her.

"He told me, 'You're gonna hate it,’” she recalled, “but a few years down the road, you'll wish you were back there, because they tell you what to do, when to do it, where to do it and how to do it.'"

Assigned as a Damage Controlman to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), her role included managing emergency preparedness, firefighting, dewatering, preventive maintenance and even inventorying chemical, biological and radiological detection supplies. Damage Controlmen are a ship's first responders and are critical to keeping their ship safe during emergencies.

“I worked in engineering where you don’t find a whole lot of women,” she mentioned, “but it opened a lot of opportunities to see and learn and do. I enjoyed learning the critical thinking skills that it took to do the job.”

Albert developed the detailed knowledge of how intricate systems interact and a broad understanding of her ship’s operations by working alongside skilled machinists and electricians. After serving from 1995 to 1999, Albert decided not to re-enlist.

"Retirement wasn't the best option at the time; you had to serve 30 years to get a 50% pension," she recalled. “I was young, stupid and knew everything, so I decided to get out.”

Returning to Wisconsin, Albert found her calling in nursing through her job as an EMT. Today, her military background provides a unique perspective in caring for Veterans and helping them connect with each other as well as support systems both inside and outside of VA. 

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No matter what you may be experiencing, there is support for getting your life on a better track. Many Veterans have found the strength to reach out and make the connection. Learn more at Make the Connection.