My name is Carlos, I am a United States Veteran. I served in the Army National Guard from 2006 to 2012. I started this company with the hope of helping my fellow military members and first responders that are struggling with their own mental health and invisible battles. This is my story.

I was 22 years old on October 2010 when I volunteered for my deployment. I was fortunate enough to come home untouched. My life in Afghanistan was fairly easy and safe unlike the lives of many of my fellow vets. You never really think about how life is going to be when you get home until your deployment ends. You get welcomed home, you receive many thanks, but your mind is never the same. Whether you have seen combat or not, your mental health is affected.

The day my mental health took a hit was 18 July 2011. SGT Omar Jones took his life 4 days before he was due to come home on leave. I hadn't known SGT Jones for more than a year, but in the time I got to know him I knew he was a good man. When I volunteered to deploy, I had to switch to a unit that was mobilizing. I left my old battle buddies and started to get to know some new ones. The very first person that helped me get settled in my new unit was SGT Jones.

SGT Jones had served two tours in Iraq prior to this deployment to Afghanistan. He went above and beyond to make sure I had what I needed and if I ever had a question, he would always find the answer. We had different Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), so we didn't cross paths much, but I never forgot who welcomed me in.

06 August 2014, PVT Jarod Morehead, my brother in arms and a close friend, took his life. This hit me hard. Jarod and I did everything together while we were in the same unit. We trained and had fun together. He took me in when I needed a place to stay. He lent me his motorcycle when I needed transportation. He was my brother. This unfortunate event made me struggle with my own mental health and thoughts of suicide even more. I knew I couldn't fix myself on my own. Lucky for me I found my faith in God again and he pulled me out of that dark pit. I still have my bad days, but I have since learned to manage it and ask for help when I need it.

Mental health in the military is something that is rarely talked about while you are enlisted. There is an unspoken standard that all military people should be tough but in the process of becoming that person, we tend to ignore our mental health. My goal is to use part of my proceeds to bring awareness and to help military and first responders with their mental health needs.