We Salute You, Even After the Uniform is Off
FORT COLLINS, Colo-- For heros in uniform parades are held, monuments are given, schools are named after, but what happens when all of these celebrations die down?
No one brings up the fact that 20 percent of the vets who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from either major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. In fact, 19.5 percent of vets in these two categories have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Every single day 22 veterans commit suicide because they cannot handle the stresses of their illness, from serving. This needs to end. Vets4Life is trying to stop this. Vets4Life purpose is to help combat the ever-growing epidemic of veterans' suicide rates and help these hero transition into civilian life.
Austin Leffel, who is 27 years old, founded Vets4Life in February of 2015. Leffel has served two tours in the Marines. He has been thrown into the front lines and has seen all the horrors of war. Leffel’s transition into a civilian lifestyle was extremely difficult. “After returning home, I felt completely alone. My family was happy to see me but, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my career or if going back to school was even an option. I spent many nights staying awake worrying about what to do.” Leffel commented.
To combat his emptiness he started working out and bodybuilding. There he found a community of similar people that consisted of mostly veterans. Leffel started Phalanx Fitness to give tips and training to other veterans that wanted to stay in shape. Shortly after the launch of Phalanx, Leffel was diagnosed with severe depression. Leffel stated, “At the time I tried to do everything I could to take my mind off of my PTSD and the depression that came with it. I could not handle it anymore.”
Leffel attempted suicide and survived. After recovering, he realized he wasn’t alone. There is an epidemic of veterans committing suicide all over the country. He wanted to make sure no veteran ever felt this way again. Leffel enrolled himself in Colorado State University and started Vets4Life to provide veterans and families of veterans with support. He strives to decrease the strain of post deployment transitioning for veterans by providing access to essential supportive and resource referral services to minimize veterans’ adjustment difficulties and reduce their sense of isolation. Empowering veterans to overcome post deployment obstacles by assisting transitioning veterans in establishing and maintaining a sense of mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing, and dignity. Vets4Life also connects people with the right programs to help support them the way they should be.
Leffel works closely with the student veteran department at CSU. Maggie Walsh, Director of Veterans Initiatives, states, “Austin is the most hardworking and caring human I have ever met. He will go nights without sleep just to try and help support a local veteran that reached out to him for support. He is true and genuine to Vets4Life and he is making a difference.”
On June 4th, Vets4Life will be partnering up with Buffalo Wild Wings in Fort Collins to have a veterans night. All proceeds made from 4p.m-9p.m will be given to Vets4Life. They will be accepting donations as well.
Today Vets4Life has an active Facebook and Instagram page where you can donate money to support the non-profit. All funds go towards veterans who are struggling to stay on their feet after returning home. A merchandise line will be launching this fall where half of all proceeds go directly to veterans. If you or anyone you know needs support please contact Vets4Life on facebook or vets4lifeorg@gmail.com. Vets4Life is always looking for volunteers and sponsorships, if interested please email media.vets4lifeorg@gmail.com.