CENTRE COUNTY— Kevin Macomber, a Navy veteran who served during the Beirut conflict, has transformed his personal battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) into a beacon of hope for others. His book, “Walking from the Shadows: My Journey with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,” offers an unfiltered look into the challenges of living with PTSD and the path to healing.
“I never had any intention of writing a book. I was just trying to make myself better,” Macomber said. “I journaled for 15 years.”
These journals evolved into a comprehensive narrative detailing his experiences with symptoms like night terrors, night sweats and overwhelming fear.
“I’d pass out from exhaustion and wake up with terror,” he recalled. “I discovered the more I could write, the more I was getting it out of my head. The more I was processing in front of me. I could take that and think on it. Work on it. It became a tool. Not only for me to process, but it became a tool for someone else to look at and help me process.”
Macomber also emphasized the importance of relatability in mental health resources.
“Most books are written by counselors or psychologists. This one is written by someone who’s been there,” he said. “Trauma is trauma. I made it trauma-agnostic. This book is focused on what I did to heal.”
He credits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for its efforts but believes more can be done, particularly in peer-to-peer support.
“You’re looking for someone you can relate to that can validate your feelings intimately,” Macomber explained.
He advocates for programs where veterans support fellow veterans, enhancing trust and understanding, which in turn will allow individuals to open themselves up about their own trauma.
Beyond his book, Macomber is collaborating with Penn State to develop initiatives that encourage individuals to enter the mental health field, with incentives to practice in Pennsylvania. He also proposes the formation of a Senate Advisory Committee focused on veteran suicide, aiming to improve data collection and awareness. “I am my brother’s keeper.” A motto that Macomber lives by and the focus of his initiative.
Statistics underscore the urgency of his mission. According to the National Institute of Health, approximately 23% of U.S. adults live with mental illness, or about one in four Americans. Men are four times more likely to commit suicide as opposed to women. The 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report highlighted suicide as the second leading cause of death among veterans, with 6,136 male veteran and 271 female veteran suicides in 2022.
Macomber’s message is clear: “We need to normalize the discussions on mental health to reduce the stigma and allow people to talk about it.” He encouraged those struggling to start by writing, stating, “I see anyone suffering, I say, ‘Get a notebook write.’”
When asked about what he hopes to achieve with his book, Macomber replied, “We need to normalize the discussions on mental health to reduce the stigma and allow people to talk about it.” Macomber hopes his book helps all who are suffering from mental health issues.
“Through kindness, courage, persistence and patience, you can learn to move mountains. Become a mountain mover.”
“Walking from the Shadows” is available for free on Kindle, providing accessible support for those navigating the complexities of PTSD.
