Austin’s Journey to Recovery

Written by Matthew Raad, VA Healthcare System

Austin See wears a lot of hats. He is the Lenawee County Veterans Coalition leader, a city Councilman, a Kiwanis member, an American Legion Honor Guard, and is currently employed at the Share the Warmth homeless shelter. These are just some of the vital roles he plays, but things weren’t always so busy and looking so bright. Austin served in the Marines from 2012-2016 as a combat engineer. After honorably discharging from the military, he returned to his hometown of Tecumseh and found himself alone and severely depressed.

Austin didn’t feel like there was anyone he could turn to for support and eventually started using alcohol to cope. One night, Austin seriously contemplated taking his life and that’s when he decided to confide in his parents. “I didn’t want to admit I needed help—I didn’t want to face the fact that things were going wrong in my life, and I didn’t want to admit that alcohol was part of the problem. When I realized I needed help I felt embarrassed, but I knew it was time to reach out before things got any worse.”

With the support of his parents, Austin connected with the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. The VA offered mental health services and primary care physician support, too. This was the beginning of his journey in recovery. He came to trust his therapist and felt everything he talked about was heard with an open mind, non-judgmentally. Austin remarked, “This was a big turning point for me. My therapist challenges me to keep taking steps in my recovery and it’s paid off with dividends.”

Today, Austin feels like he has found a new purpose in life. His optimism and life experience are being tapped for the greater good, and that feels good. He knew that once he began getting more involved, that people were depending on him. “That was the first time I felt that since being in the Marines. I knew I had to get my life together for myself, but also for the community that I wanted to help build.”

Austin continues with his community service, but when he’s not building a better Tecumseh, he enjoys spending time with his family and girlfriend.

Resources: For 24/7, Confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones, Call 988 then Press 1 https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, 734-769-7100 https://www.va.gov/ann-arbor-health-care/ Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) https://www.michigan.gov/mvaa