Like everyone on 911, I will always remember where I was when we watched the first tower fall. I was at Edelen Acres doing a training via Webex for someone on China, I believe. My husband, Dan called me to the basement to watch the first tower fall. We were all in shock. I was working virtually at the time for a company located in Seattle, Washington. A month later, I was let go.
911 was a pivotal day in the minds of all of us, but much more so for Cliff Bauman. Cliff Bauman was working at the Pentagon on that fateful day. Cliff Bauman is a true mental health warrior patriot and pioneer. Unlike everyone in the country, Cliff Bauman has first-hand experience, looking for people at the Pentagon on 911. Cliff was traumatized by what he saw, but packed away this trauma, just like he did his uniform and his boots from that day. Years later, these emotions took over his life as he attempted to end his own life.
Why is Cliff’s story so important to hear? In 2021, men died by suicide four times more than women. According to Jeffrey C. Sung, M.D., psychiatrist at the University of Washington, suicide among men could relate to a lack of messaging specifically for middle-aged men—the highest suicide rate by age—as well as cultural norms surrounding masculinity.
I commend Cliff for his courage to help others. He is a true mental health warrior pioneer. Cliff Bauman is a modern “everyman” in our culture today. Cliff Bauman’s triumph story deserves to be told to every man in the country, both inside and outside the military. I am proud to call him my friend.”
Cliff Bauman’s book will be available for purchase at the 2nd Annual Mental Health Warrior graduation party at The Venue on Lake Grant on July 13th from 2-3 p.m.
Mental Health Warrior 