HA News 60: "The Day I Felt Most Alone" -Ann Cardona

September 28, 2018

"I was celebrating Veteran's Day with my closest veteran friends and, ironically, that was the day I felt the most alone." - Ann Cardona

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front for all you non military types): The ultimate message I want to get out today is that reaching out for help (in any capacity) makes you STRONGER, not weaker. These acts could be as simple as asking for help with your job search, needing a partner on a project you were assigned or something deeper. I always thought I was being strong by not addressing events that happened while I was in the military and hardly ever asking for help with ANYthing (except computer help...all my friends know I can always use help with my computer). As a female in a male dominated industry, I always felt it was important to be self-sufficient and to be able to carry “my own load” both physically and mentally. I was able to function, and performed at a high level for a long time, even if I did cry in the car on the way home every day. You would think I was the last person that needed help...until it all caught up with me. We ALL can use a helping hand and most people truly enjoy helping. So, don't fight their offers. And don't fight the fact that you have the potential to be an even stronger and better person than you are today!

"The avoidance of suffering is a form of suffering. The avoidance of struggle is a struggle. Hiding what is shameful is itself a form of shame." Mark Manson

It is Suicide Awareness Month and I don't like to shy away from tough topics, but this is a tough one for me. I would like to give you some of my personal insight on this topic, but I also haven't decided how vulnerable I want to be in front of thousands of my closest friends and colleagues. I have been inspired to open up more after participating in a Next Level People podcast hosted by Greg Johnson last week. You can read more of his thoughts on Mental Health in this article below.

How about I give you a little bit of my personal experience, and also some good research based content?

It was Veteran's Day weekend, around 1:00am, the night before my dear friend's wedding, and I was curled up in the fetal position in a bathtub just trying to hang on to something. I was surrounded by my favorite girlfriends earlier that evening, all of whom are veterans, and I still felt so alone. I felt like I couldn’t let any of them see me like this and they couldn’t help me anyway, so what was the point?

I didn't want to flood your inbox with too much text on a Friday but I would love for you to follow the link to read the rest of my findings about Having the Strength to Reach Out.

I hope sharing a bit of my story can be helpful to some of you out there and if so I am glad to share more! As always, happy to talk one-on-one and offer any resources I have found during the ongoing course of my journey.

Please check out the great articles I have below as well. Meaghan Mobbs and Greg Johnson both have really really good thoughts and insights in the top two articles.

-Ann Cardona & The Hiring America Team ann.cardona@hiringamerica.net

This Week's News Roundup:

Where Have all the Warriors Gone? Home.

Most, have gone home.

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psychologytoday.com

3 Lessons on Mental Health

This past week, I've released an episode every day covering several people's journeys through mental health and addiction - including parts of mine. I didn't set out on this journey on purpose.

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linkedin.com

On Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain: Vulnerable People Do Not Always Look Vulnerable

It’s easy to believe that fame, professional success, wealth, or adoration can protect people from pain, but that is not true. Addiction doesn’t discriminate. Depression doesn’t care if you’re great at what you do.

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twloha.com

Video of Inspiration

Tomorrow Needs You

World Suicide Prevention Day is Monday, September 10, 2018. On this day, and every day during National Suicide Prevention Week (9/9-9/15), we’re asking you to join us by taking action. Organizations and individuals across the country and globe are working to do the same.

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Did You Know You Can Chat With Us On Social Media? Come And Join The Conversation!

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Job Fairs! Add Them to Your Transition Tactics.

This video shows you the @davhq and @recruit_military job fair and what to expect.

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