David Woods-Bartley Northern Michigan Tour: From Mental Hellness to Mental Wellness

David Woods-Bartley has seen his fair share of successes and setbacks, from directing a nationally recognized nonprofit to battling the long-term effects of childhood sexual trauma and a life-threatening mental illness. The latter, a brutal knock-down, drag-out fight with clinical depression, led David to a suicide attempt. David is committed to moving the conversation about suicide, male sexual trauma, and mental illness from the dark shadows where they now live to the forefront of public concern.

Currently, David is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the International Association for Youth Mental Health, the National Storytelling Network’s Healing Story Alliance, and Active Minds. In addition to giving two TED talks and being named a 2021 Mental Health Champion by the prestigious Steinberg Institute, David has presented more than 600 times to audiences across the United States, Canada, Central America, and India on the subjects of suicide, male sexual trauma, mental health, organizational culture, and servant leadership.

David has presented to organizations including the United States Army, the United States Coast Guard, the Food and Drug Administration, OSH India, Sutter Health, the California Highway Patrol, the Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership, the University of Connecticut, Boston College, the California Northstate School of Medicine, and a wide range of elementary, middle and high schools, community organizations, and diverse faith denominations.

Northern lower Michigan welcomes David Woods-Bartley to share his story and message of hope from July 24 – July 28, 2023 in Otsego, Grand Traverse, Alpena, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Iosco counties to Service members, Veterans and their families. Additionally, there will be events open to the public. To receive more information please contact: Angie Linsenman at (989) 980- 8893 or email angela.linsenman@va.gov.

These events were made possible by: Northern Michigan Regional Entity, Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs, Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center, Partners in Prevention, AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Authority, and the Northern Michigan Veteran Coalition.

The Aleda E. Lutz VAMC in Saginaw, Michigan operates an 81-bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation Community Living Center. It provides care to over 40,126 Veterans in a 35-county geographic area, from mid-Michigan to the Mackinac Bridge. Veterans can also receive care at one of our nine VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics located throughout Michigan. More information about this VA can be found at https://www.va.gov/saginaw-health-care/.  

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Tara Scheuer, Public Affairs Officer

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