Meet the Founder - Emma Taylor
My name is Emma Taylor, and as the daughter of a military veteran I understand deeply the importance of repaying those who have served. My dad was in the Army for a total of 23 years, during which he amassed a total of 6 deployments dispersed over his service as a Cavalry officer, paratrooper, and strategic planner. Each and every day he sacrificed everything that he had including his life and awaiting family at home in order to make our country a safer place. Because of the sacrifice made by my dad and the millions of veterans in this country, today we are able to live in a nation that is free and just.
As American citizens it is our duty to honor and give back to those who have served, especially our veterans. While they have fought to defend our freedom, the biggest battle they will face is yet to come. And for many it may happen in their very own homes as they struggle to navigate the difficult realities of reintegrating into society. After hearing the testimonies and struggles of my dad and other veterans I was inspired to make an impact in my community, which is when the birth of Battle Buddies began. What started as a crazy dream has continued to blossom into an organization that is fighting to make an impact in the lives of veterans.
Why?
In the simplest form supporting veterans honors the sacrifice they have given while promoting a sense of national unity and pride. Giving back to the men and women who have fought for our freedom creates a society that is built on the principles of integrity and respect. As one community, together we can appreciate the value of veterans’ past contributions while ensuring that their future endeavors are equally preserved and protected. So why does supporting our veterans even matter in the first place, when resources such as The Department of Veterans Affairs exist?
Well the answer is not quite so simple, as one of the biggest struggles surrounding veteran services relates to the current societal mental health stigmas. Currently there are 16.2 million veterans who live in the United States, of which 41% percent were estimated to be in need of mental health care programs with one in four meeting the diagnostic criteria. Because of the numerous ways our veterans have sacrificed themselves for our freedom they are 15 times more likely than the average citizen to suffer from mental health disorders. Yet there is a major lack of funding, support, outreach, and awareness that is accessible in helping veterans receive the treatments that they deserve. The most common veteran mental health challenges include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. However only 50% of those who need treatment will actually seek help. This is because many veterans feel misunderstood and abandoned by the system, causing them to go without the resources they need and deserve. This is why now more than ever we must stand up and advocate to protect the men and women who gave their all to preserve our futures, our liberties, and our freedom.
