Strength in Service

05/20/2026

This California Sea Lion took a little walk earlier this week, and had us swooning.

The community support to get him safely back to the Pacific Ocean reminded us of the small town compassion of this unique community rooted in Naval aviation history.

The support from and residents kept him safe.

During Mental Health Awareness month we want to highlight physical health, like taking a walk. Social health, like community building animal rescue events, and the importance of mental health awareness. Those three pillars are the recipe for wellness.

….as far as our team goes, we cannot stop captioning this proud guy, perhaps he is just off for a stroll after stopping by our office next to the historic Hotel Del Coronado.

One thing is for certain, he has the confidence of someone who sees the value in the therapeutic relationship, and feels a place of belonging.

…and while there are often SEALS on the beach of Coronado but those ones endure Hell Week and deserve their own post of appreciation during Military Family Appreciation Month. The Coronado community is home to Naval service members from surface, to sub, to the sky and the special forces and we are so proud to be serving those family members.

So we ask our followers, what do you think about us adopting this guy as our official mascot?

Any ideas for names?

05/13/2026

Social Workers, take note 📝 great opportunity.

Join CSWE’s Center for Diversity for an important webinar on 21st Century Displacement & Uprooting.

As geopolitical conflict, extreme weather, and climate change force millions from their homes, social workers have a critical role to play in advancing social, economic, and environmental justice for displaced and marginalized communities.

This webinar will explore how environmental social work frameworks can help practitioners better understand climate-induced displacement and advocate for more just, responsive solutions.

Register today at https://ow.ly/yyAr50YWzSa

05/13/2026

July 28th, 2011.
The “just in case letter” was postmarked.
This was in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan.
The letter was never opened, but the glue has dried and allowed that handwritten letter to be visible. It could have been read today, but instead it was tucked back into a small wooden box that has moved across oceans and packed up over a dozen times, holding only the most important life moments.
This morning the box was opened, the letter was carefully touched, then quickly put away. Because that is what felt safe, locking up anxiety, fear and grief.
Instead of rushing through the discomfort, the emotions stayed for a moment, a pause was put as an intention.
The realization that at any moment, a deployment could come again, seabags would be packed, and imminent danger would be part of daily life.
That is the reality of thousands of military families serving today in all branches.
What we know is that we cannot do this military life alone.
Reach out to a friend, say “hello” to a stranger, schedule well-checkups, and touch base with a therapist.
We are not meant to do this life alone, not in peace, and definitely not in war.

05/10/2026

Social work is rooted in advocacy, and that means we show up to share the impact of military service on military spouse employment.

We share the positive impact that legislation that could bring to help support the military spouse small business.

The small business that is providing mental health support, the small business that is finding innovation and offering support to communities, and the small business that is employing military spouses.

Together, we move forward, and pave the way.

05/09/2026

We’ve been very fortunate to be included in many podcasts over the last couple of years-but this is a first.

This week we received a handwritten note, and a little reminder to put the phone down, and learn.

Perhaps that wasn’t was intent, but this is how social health architects and builders will take a thoughtfully branded item and a heartfelt message.

Reflection, gratitude, learning. That all takes time, and we cannot multitask the learning. We need the reminders to dock the phone.

The little package that arrived at our office was written by hand, placed in an envelope, and sent through the post office. This gesture took time, it took money, and it took a real person. That effort is not wasted, instead it is reflected upon.

Psych Armor was gracious in the invitation to invite our Executive Director to their podcast Behind the Mission but they took it a step further.

They aren’t only enhancing support for service members, Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors through understanding and connection. They are EMPOWERING and they are building bridges.

This is evident in the strong team and the strong leadership under Tina Antherall.

When an organization is moving past transactions, and building a team of trusted partners, we are able to collaborated and build hope as professionals, and an innovators.

A hand written thank you note, an investment in a fledging non-profit, that is powerful, and unforgettable.

Non-profits give back into the community, but they also spark ideas and when connected, they can be a force that is driven under united missions and powerful visions.

We are so very honored to be trusted partners with Psych Armor.

Thank you, for the Thank you.

05/08/2026

Day 8:

One in a Million brings the momentum to May, but it also gives us an opportunity to highlight how we build wellness.

Physical Health
Mental Health
Social Health

That is how we achieve wellness, how quality of life is not only built, but how we can continue to show up…even on the hard days.

Because that is what Military Spouses do.

We are One in a Million.

Five & Thrive is focused on uplifting the ones who adapt, support, and hold families steady through every season of military life — the One in a Million military spouses. The spouse who is antifragile.

Not just on Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Not just during Mental Health Awareness Month. Not just on the good days.

Everyday.

We show up on the hard days.

We are one in a million.

05/07/2026

We are partnering with Five & Thrive and have a team ready to take on the Fitness and Movement Challenge—and we need YOU to join us!

Every step, every rep, every effort counts. The One in a Million Challenge is about moving with purpose. From getting in a workout at the gym to biking, rowing, yoga, or simply taking a walk with your family, this challenge brings military families, leaders, and community partners together in support of quality of life.

Each logged activity is a step toward strengthening our community, honoring resilience, and showing that when we move together, we thrive together.

Every year in May, the Challenge aligns with Mental Health Awareness Month and Military Spouse Appreciation Day — a reminder that movement not only strengthens our bodies and minds but also celebrates the military spouse. When we care for ourselves, we uplift our families and communities to thrive.

Sign up here:
https://www.fiveandthrive.org/one-in-a-million/
Team Name: Antifragile Connectors

05/06/2026

We are better together, this year we gather for the Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of a Year, and as military spouses, we HAVE to move forward together.

We HAVE to focus on social health, that is how we build strong communities, and how we start the conversation towards mental health care. This is how we prevent death by su***de.

This is more than a hash tag, this is more than a social media post, this is a public health emergency. We have to bridge communities, and connection to collaborate.

Our Charlie Madison Bracelet reminds us of that, and allows us to raise funds for our social health programming, our clinical internships for military spouses, and our goals of eradicating social isolation and loneliness.

Congrats to our engagement drawing winner Meg Graves, who is also the 2026 AFI Navy Spouse of the Year.

Meg defines social connection, and we love that she was our lucky winner!

05/06/2026

Loneliness doesn't always look like being alone. For many in the military community, it looks like another PCS move, another fresh start, another room full of strangers. 💛

Crysta's conversation on the Behind the Mission podcast with PsychArmor is one worth sharing with someone who needs it today. 🎙️

▶️ Listen here: https://psycharmor.org/podcast/btm262-crystal-bettenhausen-bubulka-social-isolation-in-the-military-and-veteran-community