TikToker AverageFloridaMan Helps Raise Awareness for Veterans' Mental Health Care
By Callie (Carlos) CadornigaMay 18 2023, Published 1:08 p.m. ET
For many people on the web, the term "Florida Man" is associated with absurd but true headlines of Florida-based individuals getting into some outlandish antics.
For AverageFloridaMan on TikTok, then again, their social media platform is no laughing topic.
From the outset, he seems like a beautiful moderate TikToker, self-described as a veteran, novice bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and different same old TikTok bio buzzwords. However, he additionally uses his platform to spotlight necessary issues in his state.
Most of his movies encompass exercise development TikToks, inspo posts, and a few meme fodder right here and there. But ReasonableFloridaMan additionally is not afraid to talk about his mental health and the leaps and bounds he is needed to take as a veteran in his house state as a way to both obtain the care he seeks in addition to raise awareness for its importance amongst his neighborhood.
ReasonableFloridaMan raises awareness for mental health in an emotional video.
In May 2023, AverageFloridaMan posted an incredibly emotional TikTok wherein he divulges his difficult experience with receiving mental health care as a veteran.
"Seven times over the last f--king six years, dude," he tearfully discusses in his two-minute video. "The VA [Veterans Affairs] has continued to let me down. I just want some f--king continuity in care with mental health providers."
He goes on to explain that through this system, he hasn't been able to get in touch with therapists and has even had his case denied via a preferred specialist after weeks of ready to hear back from them. He additionally dreaded the method of having to introduce himself to an absolutely new therapist and having to disclose his trauma all over once more.
"I gotta open f--king Pandora's box again because they're gonna wanna know everything and then I'm gonna have to live through working through that for a f--king month."
Reposting the unique video.. i've posted and update, please make sure to watch that, i knew that by means of sharing my all to common story and permitting myself to be prone in entrance of the world that i would possibly light a fire of change. Now we've got nationwide consideration on this epidemic. šš¼ #Vet #veteran #mentalhealth #veteransoftiktok #veteransaffairs #vets
ā¬ original sound - AverageFloridaManThe preliminary TikTok used to be deleted but reposted, resulting in an outpouring of supportive responses in the comments phase. One particular person wrote, "You are not alone. It's not right what they do to you and others like you. Big hugs."
Another individual sympathized at once, stating "I know how you feel. I have been through all that [and] it is miserable. I am still dealing with this s--t. I know it is heartbreaking. I am here for you."
Others instructed him and people like him to vote for politicians who will actively give a boost to policies for veteran beef up.
He would later submit an update revealing that his voice has been heard and that he is taking an active section in advocating for more psychological health care sources for veterans.
"I've been on the phone with multiple congressional staffers today [as well as] presidents of different divisions of different VA hospitals around the country," he published.
Update to my situation, allowing my self to be prone and proportion and very emotional scenario and all to commonplace problem inside veteran healthcare. I sought after to invoke some more or less alternate and awareness concerning the issues we go through.. and my video had achieved some severe affect, Iām blessed to be able to speak for those and not using a voice. And this seems like with all the attention that it should get some serious traction š#Vet #veteran #mentalhealth #veteransaffairs #veteransoftiktok
ā¬ original sound - AverageFloridaManHe also divulged more details about his private enjoy, revealing that his loss of communication was once because of the movements of a staffer who is not with the organization with whom he'd been involved. Luckily, he was once in a position to schedule new periods with the doctor he had to start with asked.
"I used my voice and my platform to create change for me and create a lot of awareness for issues that other vets [who are] struggling mentally are dealing with," he mentioned.
If you or any person you understand needs help, use SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator to search out reinforce for psychological health and substance use problems on your house or name 1-800-662-4357 for 24-hour assistance.
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