KILLEEN, Texas (KXXV) — Mental health issues are one of the biggest problems facing the military today. Serena Villa, a veteran who served in the Army for five years, spoke with Heather Healy about her struggles and the resources she used to overcome them. The Steven A. Cohen Clinic at Endeavors in Killeen offers a variety of resources available to veterans and their families to help with the transition from military to civilian life, mental health and more.
Clinic opening hours and contact details can be found here.
Broadcast transcript:
Serving in the United States military is no easy feat — just ask Army veteran Selena Villa.
“I was a behavioral health technician in the Army, so I worked in the mental health field for pretty much the entire five years I was in the military,” Villa said.
She served proudly for five years, facing hardships both on and off the battlefield.
“I would have liked to stay longer. Unfortunately, I had some mental issues myself,” Villa said.
“I suffered from severe depression while in the military, and even after I left the military I suffered from PTSD due to MST during my military career,” she added.
When she finished her military service in 2021, she knew she needed help.
Her best friend took her to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Endeavors in Killeen.
“She was working at another facility and then she took a job here as a case manager,” Villa said.
The clinic offers a variety of resources, from mental health services to helping with the transition to civilian life.
“We provide comprehensive, holistic support services for military members and their families, veterans, active duty military and children as young as 5 years old. We offer individual therapy, general mental health services, as well as group, couples and family services tailored to the individual’s needs,” says Clinic Director Katherine Nartin.
Today, Selena works at the clinic as a Life Skills Coordinator and has transformed her own mental health struggles into a powerful message for all military personnel and veterans.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Looking back, I wish I had asked for help sooner. I work in behavioral health and I saw my friends and soldiers suffering every day. My job was to help them but unfortunately I forgot to help myself,” Villa said.
