In this episode of the Veteran Spouse Network podcast, we delve into the critical topic of safety planning, particularly during Suicide Prevention Month. Host Hannah O’Brien is joined by her husband Cody, a Marine Corps veteran, as they walk through the steps of creating a safety plan. They discuss the importance of safety planning, how to involve family members, and focus on lethal means safety. As first-time parents, they emphasize the significance of having a safety plan in place for both crisis situations and the everyday safe storage of firearms and medication. Listen in as they share personal insights, practical tips, and engage in a live safety planning exercise to help you understand how simple and valuable this process can be for your family.
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.