Mary Southerland, Kayaker for Veterans, Arrives in Evansville September 22

 

Mary Southerland is kayaking the length of the Ohio River, 981 miles from Pittsburgh, PA, to Cairo, IL, to raise awareness of the mental health needs of veterans and contractors. She will arrive in Evansville Sunday, Sept. 22.

Southerland served as a contactor in Iraq. When she returned from her most recent employment in January, she was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder, caused by her experiences in the war.

“After over seven months of fighting for benefits, I can no longer permit the disorder and the struggle for help to allow me to be ashamed, humiliated and trapped,” Southerland says. “To get well (or a new ‘well’), I am going to stand up for myself and others enduring this process and break the stigma of a psychiatric injury.”

According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, an estimated 22 veterans committed suicide each day in 2010. The psychiatric care of contractors, who reportedly comprise up to 50 percent of war personnel, has not been adequately tracked. According to Southerland, we don’t know how many U.S. contractors and other nationalities supporting our soldiers have lost their personal war. Southerland hopes her river journey will draw attention to the needs of homecoming veterans, their families and perhaps even other contractors like herself.

“For now, I will help with our known problem: the system is failing our veterans, and as a co-worker, I will stand and fight for better care,” Southerland says. She is encouraging people to sign on to a petition by Purple Star Veterans and Families, asking the President to support services and treatment for veterans before they are released from active duty service.

Southerland is traveling in a Hobie Island Adventure with her service dog Henry, accompanied by a two-person support team with camping gear. She and her team will be in Evansville September 22 and 23.

She is scheduled to speak at the following venues:

• Sunday, September 22, 9:00 a.m. St. Lucas United Church of Christ, 33 West Virginia Street.
• Sunday, September 22, 2:30 p.m. Central Library, Browning Room A.  Special slide presentation and open discussion.

All events are free and open to the public.

Southern will be kayaking from Evansville west to Mt. Vernon, IN on Tuesday, September 24.