First, I'd like to thank you all for inviting me to speak today. I hope the voice of proactive engagement has resonated, because I believe in my heart we can negate many of the problems that have been created.
I think also we have to address stigma, address the mental health wound, and come out positively and affirmatively to those who have been wounded to encourage them to self-identify the moment the wound presents. We cannot provide the comprehensive care that is required if they cover up that wound until they get out. They won't come forward because they're afraid. They're afraid of losing their family. They're afraid of being ostracized from the platoon. Most importantly, they're afraid of getting kicked out, because they don't want to get kicked out.
I think we need a review of how we deal with mental wounds and physical wounds. I think the department has to be much more proactive on service delivery.