If you're listening to this and wondering whether what's happening at home is "bad enough" to talk about, this episode is for you. If you're a friend, a teacher, or a neighbor who has noticed something and doesn't know what to say, it's for you too. Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee joins us for a conversation about domestic abuse and domestic violence in military families: what it looks like, why reaching out feels so hard, and what happens when you finally do. There is no shame in asking for help. There's only courage, and people ready to meet you there, as many times as it takes. Today's episode goes beyond the psychology and into the practical: how do you speak up? And what will happen next?

This podcast is made possible through generous funding by the USAA Foundation.

Mixed and mastered by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas, USA.

Dr. Herrera-Yee’s background in research is extensive and her knowledge of military-connected communities is even deeper. Her expertise spans from Military Suicide Prevention/Postvention and Policy SME, Researcher, Data Scientist, Speaker, Writer and Founder to a personal lens of being a military spouse. Her approach is refreshing: she speaks without judgment and with genuine empathetic clarity. Her focus on the research and actionable steps enable movement beyond the typical conversation around domestic abuse. It is her passion “to help people” especially after being witness to the needs in her own military-connected life. Her career continues to focus on advocacy and work on suicide prevention, mental health awareness and fighting stigma, and supporting our military families and communities.

National Domestic Violence Hotline

888-779-SAFE

(888-799-7233)

The Military Family Advocacy Program

Department of War

Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate Locator [how to find your nearest Family Advocacy Program]

The Military Family Advocacy Program, Department of War

DODi 6400.06 [Department of Defense Instruction 6400.06]

Military OneSource, Department of War, Family Advocacy Program War Department Policies

Sexual Assault Prevention & Response

Department of War

If your kitchen table has ever turned into a homework war zone at 9 p.m., this episode is for you. We're talking about Tutor.com, the resource that lets military-connected kids get one-on-one help for free, so you can finally retire from pretending you remember how to factor polynomials. Tutor.com covers more than 250 education topics, helps students build study habits that actually stick, and will review essays before they're turned in (no more "I think it's good?" at midnight). Through its connection to The Princeton Review, it also offers test prep that can take some of the dread out of the big exams. And it isn't just for older kids, either, because Tutor.com helps our youngest learners grow into strong, confident readers. Whether your student is sounding out their first chapter book or staring down the SAT or even if they are building a resume, tune in to hear how this resource can bring a little more peace to your evenings and a lot more confidence to your kids.

Tutor.com for Military and Military Families

Military Child Education Coalition

Maureen Haney is a Senior Program Manager for Tutor.com Military and Government Programs. She has been with Tutor.com for over 13 years and is part of the team that focuses on Tutor.com/military outreach and customer service for military-connected families. She is a military brat from birth, born on Guam and attended 9 different schools in many locations before proudly graduating from a DOD high school in the United Kingdom. She is now an Air Force Spouse and she and her husband, Patrick, are currently stationed in San Antonio, TX. Maureen holds degrees in Journalism & Mass Communication as well as Technical & Professional Writing from the University of New Mexico. She started her career in Public Affairs for state government agencies in New Mexico and Virginia but has found her passion lies in working with military families like her own. Sharing the no-cost Tutor.com/military resource with families around the world feels like something she was born to do.

Join us and sit down with the Objective Zero Foundation, a nonprofit built on a simple idea: veteran and military suicide can be prevented through connection and listening. Objective Zero operates a free, anonymous mobile app that connects service members, veterans, and their families to peer support and mental health resources, working from the belief that suicide can be prevented through the simple act of listening. We talk about how the organization trains volunteer peer supporters, called Pathfinders, who provide emotional support and help reduce loneliness and stigma for those struggling, and what military-connected families can do to recognize when someone needs to be heard. It's a conversation about presence, community, and how something as small as a conversation can make a real difference. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.

https://www.objectivezero.org/

https://militarychild.org

https://afsp.org/

https://www.dspo.mil//

https://www.dspo.mil/Home/Tools/Resource-Library/spm/SP-Prevention-Outreach-Toolkit/

https://cssrs.columbia.edu/the-columbia-scale-c-ssrs/about-the-scale/

https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4448597/department-of-war-releases-its-annual-report-on-suicide-in-the-military-for-cal/

Glori Fernandez Contact Information: Glori@ObjectiveZero.org

Glori Fernandez Biography:

Glori is a grown-up military-connected child herself. She now represents the other side of military-connected families as a spouse and mom to four military-connected children and works for our service members as Director of Objective Zero Foundation, providing hands-on support to over 3000 volunteers and representatives -- internationally and 24/7. Her heart is truly in this work because she lives it. When she's not saving lives, running an organization, and building out new communities through technology, you can find her in the garden where she loves working in the yard to protect her peace of mind.

Related MCEC Podcast Episodes:

• #GotMySix, published 9.2.25
• Mental Health Care and Military Families, published 9.10.24
• Not All Heroes Wear Capes, published 12.6.22