Veterans and Mental Health: Coping with PTSD, Depression, and Recovery After Service

In this Veterans Day conversation, psychiatrist and veteran Dr. Mike McBride joins the podcast to discuss the unique mental health challenges facing those who served. Drawing from his experience in the Army and Navy as well as his work at the Milwaukee V.A., Dr. McBride explains why PTSD, depression, and suicide risk are critical issues for veterans — and how both medical professionals and civilians can better support them.

He shares how loss and isolation, worsened by the pandemic, compound mental health struggles, and outlines practical tools for veterans to stay connected, resilient, and hopeful. From the Veterans Creed to safe gun storage conversations, this episode offers guidance not only for veterans themselves but also for families, friends, and communities who want to help.

Link to Veteran's Crisis Linehttps://www.veteranscrisisline.net

How to Be There for Veterans: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/be-there-for-veterans.html

Serving Together Project: https://servingtogetherproject.org/

MHA RR House: https://www.facebook.com/RRHouseMHA/

Primary Topics Covered:

• Veterans’ unique mental health challenges (PTSD, depression, trauma)
• The role of loss and isolation in worsening depression
• How the Veterans Creed can provide grounding and purpose
• Suicide prevention: the importance of connection and safe gun storage
• Civilian support: asking about service, showing appreciation, and creating safe communities
• Building resilience and post-traumatic growth after service
• Why veterans often avoid seeking help — and how families can bridge the gap

Timestamps:

00:11:00 – Dr. McBride introduces himself and his dual role as psychiatrist and veteran

00:16:40 – His journey from child psychiatry to serving in the Army and Navy after 9/11

00:18:35 – Reflections on deployments, trauma, and the lasting toll of war

00:22:47 – Why military culture requires people who understand veterans’ experiences

00:25:15 – COVID-19, isolation, and the rise in depression among veterans

00:27:18 – Exploring the link between loss and depression

00:30:20 – The Veterans Creed as a tool for daily resilience

00:33:44 – Importance of connection and suicide prevention outreach

00:36:46 – How civilians can better understand and support veterans

00:39:42 – Why veterans struggle to ask for help — and how families can step in

00:44:33 – Teaching medical students to ask difficult questions about depression, suicide, and firearm safety

00:47:07 – The challenge of gun safety in veteran suicide prevention

00:48:59 – Final message: veterans as leaders in healing divided communities

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