Women excel across all facets of professional life, whether they are businesswomen, engineers, doctors, or soldiers. They work hard to break the glass ceiling in their careers. But in doing so, it is easy to get too focused on our careers, that we neglect what is hindering our success from the inside. Olivia J.M. Nunn, a retired lieutenant colonel, is speaking out about the turmoil of life after the military.
Being a decorated and well-respected soldier of the US Army, you get a lot of respect and facilities as a military veteran, but some facilities, like mental health and wellness centers, take up to a year to offer much needed help to the veterans. Olivia is adamant about raising her voice and spreading awareness, so civilian doctors and communities can unite and help out military veterans.
After hanging up her uniform for good, Olivia found herself on the other side of the divorce. She was in the army for 20 years, which was also the duration of her marriage. Letting go of two decades of her life wasn’t easy on her. Recounting this in a podcast, she says, “I was so busy fixing everything around me that I completely neglected to find the help which I needed to fix me” she adds, “As a woman, it is your nature to give and nurture that you don’t take a step back and give yourself a break”. Click here to listen to the full podcast.
According to Olivia, women in the army are considered strong, alpha women who possess aggressive and dominant personalities and need no help. This stereotyping of women in the military makes it very difficult for them – and even men – to find help when they need it. So much so that when she looked for help, it was said that she might have to wait six months to a year to get it. These were the days when Olivia thought she would not make it seven days without help. There were thoughts of suicide and self-harm going through her brain when she stood up and got the help she needed and now offers to help anyone who needs to fix themselves after the military.
As an army leader Olivia wants to spread awareness through her business, Olivia Nunn Communications, and her podcast, Never Stop Serving. She frequently attends events to promote mental health recovery for military personnel through civilian departments and wellness centers. Olivia is adamant about bringing together the civilian and military community to build a strong network so veterans can have access to the help they need at the right time and place. She is working hard to lower the army suicide rate, which is 22 a day, and she has vowed to bring it to zero.
Click here to learn more about Olivia and her podcasts through her company.
