Supporting Military Families Through Mental Health with Mary Beth Goodman
- S3E21
- 1:02:25
- June 11th 2025
In this episode, host Hannah O'Brien sits down with Mary Beth Goodman, Clinic Director at the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Alaska Behavioral Health, to talk about the critical role mental health plays in the lives of military and veteran families.
Together, they dive into why mental wellness matters, not just for service members, but also for their spouses and children. Mary Beth opens up about her personal journey as a veteran spouse and what led her to dedicate her career to supporting military families through accessible, compassionate mental health care.
Tune in to hear:
- Why mental health support is essential for the entire military family unit
- Common challenges faced by military spouses and children
- Signs that it may be time to seek professional support
- How clinics like the Cohen Military Family Clinic are bridging gaps in care
- Mary Beth’s inspiring story of advocacy and service within the military community
Whether you're a military family member, veteran, or mental health advocate, this episode offers valuable insights and encouragement for navigating the unique emotional challenges of military life.
Resources Mentioned:
Veteran Spouse Network
A podcast of real stories that will resonate with the Veteran spouse community. Hosted by Hannah O'Brien of the Veteran Spouse Network and in collaboration with Coming Home Well.
A community of peer support for military and veteran spouses and committed partners, providing opportunities to engage and connect to helpful resources and a community of support.
Hannah O’Brien is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin’s Steve Hicks School of Social Work Masters program. A native of Austin, Texas, she knew she needed to spread her wings in college, traveling all the way to the east coast to attend American University in Washington, D.C. where she received her Bachelors in Law and Society. After earning her undergraduate degree, she held several positions that included working with children in schools, supporting offenders during reentry after incarceration, offering employment guidance for low-income adults, and helping support adult literacy. Hannah then began her Masters of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas, where she completed the Administration and Policy Practice concentration, planning for a career in non-profit management.
While pursuing her degree, she fell in love with, and ultimately married a Marine Corps veteran and began immersing herself in the unique culture of the military. It wasn’t long before she knew she wanted to pursue a career in the service of veteran spouses and families. Hannah has served as the Program Manager for the Veteran Spouse Network (VSN) since 2017, helping create, implement, and evaluate peer support programs for veteran spouses and families to ensure they receive the support they deserve. In addition to her role within the VSN, Hannah has had the opportunity to coordinate marriage enrichment and PTSD treatment groups for veteran couples, as well as assist in a multitude of different research projects aimed at supporting military and veteran families.