MENTAL HEALTH
Vulnerable Warrior project
At The 38 Challenge we believe in an all inclusive approach to mental health. The first step in the war on mental health begins with shattering the stigma through praising vulnerability.
Without the ability to show vulnerability, it is hard to know if a warrior is battling with TBI, CTE, Transition, Addiction, or a variety of other internal struggles. We must work together to preach the truth that vulnerability is strength, and the strongest warriors are those who help themselves so that they may help others.
Active Duty Marines showing vulnerability through The 38 Challenge:
Sharing struggles with PTSD & CTE symptoms
Let's Talk TBI
“Let’s Talk TBI,” created in partnership between The Concussion Legacy Foundation’s Project Enlist and The 38 Challenge that challenges Warriors to show vulnerability by talking about their experience with brain injuries and the mental health battles that come with them. The purpose is to educate warriors on how brain injuries could be impacting their behavior and cognitive functions, providing hope for ways to improve their mental health now, and prompting those affected to pledge their brain for research so that we can help warriors in the future.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in individuals with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Contact sport athletes are especially vulnerable, due to the thousands of head impacts they receive over their careers. Despite this understanding of the disease, we still lack accurate diagnostic tests for living patients and effective treatments. While we work towards a cure, the Concussion Legacy Foundation supports those struggling with suspected CTE through the CLF HelpLine.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suspected CTE, reach out to the CLF HelpLine for personalized help.
We’re learning that CTE isn’t just affecting athletes, but is showing up frequently in our nations heroes. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to military service-related causes is a significant problem for our active military and veteran community. In fact, from 2000 to 2019 more than 414,000 TBI’s have been reported among U.S. Service members and more than 185,000 veterans enrolled in the VA health care have been diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury. Even with knowing how many service members are afflicted by TBI, the understanding of TBI and related disorders such as CTE is in its infancy. That’s why we are teaming up with the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) to support CTE research through brain donations.
Partners
To win the war on suicide, we need armed allies. The 38 Challenge seeks to be the first step in the help seeking process, where we then connect warriors to our partners.
Interested in Partnering?
TBI & CTE
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a degenerative brain disease found in individuals with a history of repetitive brain trauma. Contact sport athletes are especially vulnerable, due to the thousands of head impacts they receive over their careers. Despite this understanding of the disease, we still lack accurate diagnostic tests for living patients and effective treatments. While we work towards a cure, the Concussion Legacy Foundation supports those struggling with suspected CTE through the CLF HelpLine. If you or someone you know is struggling with suspected CTE, reach out to the CLF HelpLine for personalized
Vulnerability:
At The 38 Challenge we believe in an all inclusive approach to mental health. The first step in the war on mental health begins with shattering the stigma through praising vulnerability.
Without the ability to show vulnerability, it is hard to know if a warrior is battling with TBI, CTE, Transition, Addiction, or a variety of other internal struggles. We must work together to preach the truth that vulnerability is strength, and the strongest warriors are those who help themselves so that they may help others.
Nothing is stronger than seeking help and having hard conversations about invisible wounds.
Origin:
On February 19th, 2021, USMC Captain Matthew Brewer died by suicide. Captain Brewer played middle linebacker at The Naval Academy where he wore the number 38, and then served in the Marine Corps for 8 years before transitioning to be a firefighter in Kansas City.
In response to Matt’s tragic death, his brother, Brandt McCartney, created a warrior workout to memorialize and honor his hero. From 2021 – 2022 The 38 Challenge has raised over $200,000 for TBI, PTSD, and CTE research and awareness.