Returning home from war can present a new type of battle for many veterans. One such veteran is Dillon Heinzerling, a local father, husband, brother, and Army veteran.
Last month, Dillon attempted to take his own life. Now, his loved ones are sharing his story to help others.
“22 veterans a day commit suicide,” said Dillon’s sister, Destinee Woodring-Gonzales.
For some veterans, returning home means facing a new kind of battlefield. Destinee and her husband Alex have witnessed this with Dillon firsthand.
“When he got out of the Army, I noticed some behaviors and patterns that I hadn’t seen before,” Destinee said.
In June, Dillon’s medication was changed, leading to a decision that would forever alter his family’s life.
“He went to the bathroom, opened the shower curtain and closed it. He brought his .45 in with him and shot himself in the face,” Destinee recounted.
Miraculously, Dillon survived the suicide attempt.
“I was sitting at his hospital bed, holding his hand, and I said, ‘Dillon, I need you to tell me if you’re still here. Just squeeze my hand and let me know you’re there.’ He squeezed super hard,” Destinee recalled.
Dillon faces several surgeries, but his brain is intact. Destinee and Alex say he is progressing well.
The couple wants people to remember America’s veterans, not just on July 4th, but year-round.
“We need to do better as a country to provide for our veterans and take care of them to prevent these tragedies and the harm they cause to entire families,” Destinee said.
The Struggle for Men’s Mental Health
Dillon moved back to Phoenix from Florida last year with his wife and two daughters. He spends a lot of time with his sister, including taking vacations together.
“He’s a great dad and a great brother,” Destinee said. “The best big brother in the world.”
“He’s a strong man, too,” Alex added. “And yes, a good brother and a good friend.”
Destinee, who has a master’s degree in forensic psychology, noticed signs in her brother that pointed to bipolar disorder, a condition that runs in their family.
Destinee and Dillon lost both their brother to a drug overdose and their mother in a car wreck. She said that grief, mixed with PTSD from service and the stress of relocating his family, caused Dillon to isolate himself from his loved ones.
“He normally calls me every day to share his plans, and that stopped,” she said.
The withdrawal side effects from Dillon’s medication include psychosis, and she wishes he hadn’t been taken off that medication due to his genetic predisposition to mental health issues.
The couple also wants to bring awareness to men’s mental health in general.
“Men feel like they have to be strong and be the supporter, and they are not as likely to ask for help, despite the number of men who commit suicide in this country,” Destinee said.
Alex, who has also struggled with suicidal thoughts, echoed Destinee’s thoughts on ensuring men know they can be vulnerable.
