Behind The Mission

Show Summary

This episode features a conversation with Navy spouse Vicky Perkins, Senior Director for Impact Programs at Blue Star Families. Among other programs, Vicky is responsible for leading the team that manages Blue Star Support Circles, facilitated nonclinical cohorts for veterans and service member supporters to help reduce crisis and suicide in the military affiliated population.

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About Today’s Guests

Vicky Perkins is a Navy Spouse and dedicated professional with a passion for supporting others. She brings a wealth of experience in non-profit organization management, excelling in Event Management, Program Management, Communication, Volunteer Management, Decision-Making, and Team Building. Her leadership encompasses diverse portfolios specializing in developing, evaluating, and scaling innovative pilot programs nationally and in collaboration with local communities, and her commitment is deeply rooted in serving military families. She passionately works towards positively impacting their lives and the communities they navigate, armed with a nuanced understanding of their challenges.

Links Mentioned in this Episode 

Blue Star Families Web Site

Blue Star Support Circles

Vicky Perkins on LinkedIn

PsychArmor Resource of the Week

This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is the PsychArmor course Suicide in Military Members And Veterans. Dr. Craig Bryan provides an overview of military suicide statistics and explains unique factors that may be related to increased rates in military suicide. You can find a link to the resource in our show notes.
 
You can see find the resource here:  
 
https://learn.psycharmor.org/courses/suicide-in-military-members-and-veterans
 
Episode Partner:
 
Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities
 
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Theme Music

Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.

Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families.  You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com  

What is Behind The Mission?

Because fewer than 7% of Americans have served in uniform, most Americans are unfamiliar with military service and culture. As a result, members of the military and Veteran community are at greater risk for disconnection and lack of belonging with the civilian community. PsychArmor’s mission is to bridge the military-civilian divide by educating and training a Nation. Each week, Duane France, a combat Veteran and Clinical Mental Health Counselor, will dig deep into the stories “Behind The Mission” - and create a conversation with organizations and leaders on how they are utilizing their expertise and networks to support the military-connected community.