We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Harold Skelton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Harold , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I am a disabled Iraq veteran who struggled with PTSD, suicidal ideations, and depression as a result of my military experience. In 2010, following my medical retirement from the military, I attempted to take my own life. This decision not only ended a promising career with the DEA but also led me to drop out of my PhD program in Homeland Security functions. In 2016, realizing the imminent arrival of my first child, Harry, I sought care at the VA and committed myself to taking my treatment seriously. It was during this time that I rediscovered my passion for fishing, which has always been my lifeline and a source of therapeutic benefits for mental health. In 2020, as a single father, I made the decision to move to the Cape to pursue my dream of creating a therapeutic fishing program aimed at healing veterans through fishing and raising awareness about the staggering statistic of losing 22 lives to suicide every day.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a disabled Iraq veteran who struggled with PTSD, suicidal ideations, and depression as a result of my military experience. In 2010, following my medical retirement from the military, I attempted to take my own life. This decision not only ended a promising career with the DEA but also led me to drop out of my PhD program in Homeland Security functions. In 2016, realizing the imminent arrival of my first child, Harry, I sought care at the VA and committed myself to taking my treatment seriously. It was during this time that I rediscovered my passion for fishing, which has always been my lifeline and a source of therapeutic benefits for mental health. In 2020, as a single father, I made the decision to move to the Cape to pursue my dream of creating a therapeutic fishing program aimed at healing veterans through fishing and raising awareness about the staggering statistic of losing 22 lives to suicide every day.
Fishing for the Mission 22 is a non-profit organization, classified as a 501(c)(3), that focuses on providing a therapeutic approach to help heal veterans through fishing. The organization also aims to raise awareness about the alarming statistic of 22 or more veterans lost to suicide each day in the United States. This statistic highlights the ongoing mental health challenges faced by veterans and the urgent need for support.
Our programs: Operation Tackle 22 overview: Operation Tackle 22 is a peer-to-peer, leadership development and mentorship program committed to preventing suicide through therapeutic fishing with vocational training. We use offshore fishing trips–in habitats rich with whales, sharks, tuna, swordfish, and marlin–as a context to engage heroes in the trades of boating and tuna fishing. As a mentorship and vocational training program, we use this context for each veteran to attend Captain’s School, receiving 300 hours of boating experience and mentorship to learn the dynamics of, and advances in, marine navigation and technology. We capitalize on advances in developmental theory and science to promote the healing and thriving of our heroes by reintegrating them into a stable workforce as a boat Captain. The proposed project will serve to scale the program using a mixed-methods pilot evaluation study with qualitative focus group discussions and longitudinal quantitative surveys seeking to illuminate and enhance program impact.
Common Ground 22 Connect:
To honor all veterans who have served in any capacity, we provide weekly half-day fishing charters in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Wyoming, and will be adding Virginia this spring. This program is specifically designed to pay tribute to our nation’s heroes and aims to foster connections within their communities, offering them a valuable source of support. Additionally, we offer free fishing licenses to veterans during the late winter or early spring. As part of our commitment to comprehensive care, we have established partnerships with New England Medical Group (Norton) and Lorenzi Health Care (Holyoke), both of which have obtained insurance certifications to accept Tricare and VA benefits. Currently, we are working on developing a unique therapeutic model for individual and group therapy that utilizes fishing as a foundation, with the goal of helping veterans explore new thought processes and find healing.
Our newest program is called “Project Equalizer”. We recently partnered with an inventor from Memphis Tennessee who has a patented fishing rod for disabled individuals. I’m thrilled to share that we will be launching controlled tests with veterans using the groundbreaking fishing rod, “The Equalizer,” on Cape Cod by the end of this month. This state-of-the-art equipment, featuring a patented design, is specifically tailored to empower veterans and individuals with physical impairments, such as paralysis, limb loss, or wheelchair dependence, enabling them to regain their independence on the water. The innovative technology of The Equalizer allows veterans to cast, retrieve (manually or with mechanical assistance), and control the rod on their own, reigniting their love for fishing while aiding in physical rehabilitation. It can be utilized with a specially designed tripod, attached to a wheelchair, or securely strapped to an amputee. Notably, the rod offers various control options, including a sensor tube for quadriplegics, enabling them to control casting and other functions through their breathing.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I hope that my story can serve as an inspiration to fellow veterans and individuals who are trapped in the darkness of depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. It is my sincere wish that my journey will encourage them to find the strength to overcome their challenges and pursue their dreams, embracing the joys and passions that life has to offer. It is crucial that we create a society where discussing mental health issues is not associated with shame or judgment. Just as we seek medical assistance for a broken bone or any other physical ailment, mental health should be treated with the same importance and compassion. My hope is that, one day, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and ensure that everyone receives the support and understanding they deserve.
Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?
As a single father, juggling the responsibilities of parenthood has made it challenging for me to maintain a stable job while simultaneously starting my nonprofit organization. When I embarked on this journey, my children were just one and four years old. Despite the difficulties, we have achieved significant success through fundraising events like large fishing tournaments and food festivals. To amplify our reach and impact, I have utilized social media as a powerful tool for promotion and influence. Given the constraints on my time and availability due to my schedule and children, building a strong foundation through social media has proven immensely beneficial. It has played a vital role in our fundraising efforts, marketing initiatives, and attracting major donations to support the growth of our organization. Moreover, it has become a crucial platform for raising awareness and advocating for the 22 veterans we lose to suicide every day in our nation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fishingforthemission22.org/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/fishingforthemission22?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FFTM22?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/harold-skelton-859ab026b
- Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@fishingforthemission22