Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate visits JBLE
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, receives a coin from U.S. Army Col. William Galbraith, 733rd Mission Support Group commander, after speaking to a crowd at Fort Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2014. Walker is a spokesperson for programs specialized in mental health and addiction treatment for Service members, and has visited more than 80 military installations sharing his story. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle/Released)
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate visits JBLE
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, speaks to a crowd at Fort Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2014. During his visit to Fort Eustis, Walker spoke about his football career and life with multiple personality disorder. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle/Released)
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate visits JBLE
Andy Anderson and his father, James Anderson, local U.S. Army retiree, wait in line to get a photo with and autograph from Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, at Fort Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2014. During his visit, Walker encouraged U.S. Service members to ask for help for mental health and substance abuse issues. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle/Released)
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate visits JBLE
Andy and James Anderson, local U.S. Army retiree, meet Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, at Fort Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2014. Several veterans waited in line to take photos with Walker and receive his autograph. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kimberly Nagle/Released)
Football icon visits JBLE to promote mental health
U.S. Service members and Herschel Walker fans listen to Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, speak about mental health at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Sept. 17, 2014. Walker spoke about his highlights career and his battle with dissociative identity disorder. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal/Released)
Football icon visits JBLE to promote mental health
A Cowboys’ fan records Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, speech about mental health at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Sept. 17, 2014. Walker shared his main piece of advice to military members who may be battling mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression - “There is no shame for asking for help, I did.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal/Released)
Football icon visits JBLE to promote mental health
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, speaks to active-duty U.S. Service members, retirees and others about mental health and his career at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Sept. 17, 2014. Walker spoke about how having dissociative identity disorder played a part in his life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal/Released)
Football icon visits JBLE to promote mental health
¬Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, signs memorabilia for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Tracey King, 633rd Air Base Wing command chief, at the Community Commons at Langley Air Force Base, Va. Sept. 17, 2014. Walker has played for the University of Georgia, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles during his football career. He travels to military installations speaking about battling a mental disorder and seeking for help. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal/Released)
Football icon visits JBLE to promote mental health
U.S. Service members and Herschel Walker fans listen to Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, speak about mental health at Langley Air Force Base, Va., Sept. 17, 2014. Walker spoke about his highlights career and his battle with dissociative identity disorder. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal/Released)
By Airman 1st Class Breonna Veal / Published Sept. 17, 2014
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. ,
Herschel Walker, Heisman Trophy recipient and mental health advocate, spoke to U.S. Service members about his life with a mental health disorder on and off the football field at the Jacobs Theater on Fort Eustis and the Community Commons on Langley Air Force Base, Sept. 16-17.
After playing football for over 16 years, Walker recognized a personal need to seek behavioral health assistance when his wife expressed concerns about his mental state.
"One day, there was a guy who was going to do something for me; however, he was [wasting] my time. I thought I was going to kill him," said Walker. "I went back to my wife and told her something is wrong with me ... I needed some help."
With the support of loved ones, Walker sought help. He was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, a condition in which at least two distinct identities alternately control the patient's behavior. After the diagnosis, Walker recognized several instances in his life where he felt the urge to hurt someone.
Looking back on his life, he encouraged military members to keep faith and seek assistance when things don't "feel right." Walker said he believes military members put others first, ensuring the quality in America's military.
"The United States military is the best," said Walker. "The reason this country is the way it is today is because of [Service members]. You give us the freedom we have, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak."
Even though they put themselves first, Walker assured Service members that seeking help does work.
"Sometimes people are too ashamed of what is going in their lives and only want to hide it, but if you or someone you know is hurting, get yourself or them the help they need," said Walker. "There is no shame in asking for help. I am living proof."
While at JBLE, Walker toured the 1st Fighter Wing, worked out with Service members at the Shellbank Fitness Center at Langley and spoke to Service members at Fort Eustis.
For more information about resiliency resources, visit http://www.jble.af.mil/resiliencydirectory.asp.
