Strong for Myself: Taniki Richard's Story

Wounded veteran describes her transformation from rock bottom: Taniki Richard found the mental health support she needed to overcome her post-traumatic stress disorder.

Video Transcript

TANIKI RICHARD: I fought in Iraq to survive mentally. Being back, I had a new battle. I had-- there was a new war. I didn't even understand what post-traumatic stress was. But I was glad that it didn't take me losing my life in order to figure out that I had another chance at life.

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When I came back from Iraq, I started having nightmares of being raped, and then it being on the aircraft. I would wake up in, like, hot sweats, and I couldn't sleep. I was literally falling apart. I was crying out for help. And I didn't know how to say the words. I didn't how to formulate how to say, somebody help me.

One day, it just became too much. I was under so much extreme stress and pain that I just wanted it to end. Right outside of Marine Corps Air Station, I crashed into a light pole, attempting to end my life. I remember thinking, how did I get here? How?

When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was not just, you know, working with my physical disabilities. I was emotionally broken.

BRANDON RICHARD: Seeing Taniki struggle, and because I was a veteran and going through the same thing-- not understanding how to ask for help-- and that was the scary part. I had three other people in the house counting on me. It was a hard time for awhile. It was a really hard time.

TANIKI RICHARD: It was affecting me in my marriage. We were just two people living together. The romance had just went kaput.

My battle buddy, my husband, he didn't know how to help me. He actually called Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior Project had this thing called Couples Odyssey. It showed us our love languages.

They gave us books and resources and tools on how to help us with that. They set the atmosphere for romance, for passion, but also doing some workshops that would actually help with that communication.

As you can see, I have a huge smile on my face. That's what my honey lover boo thing does for me. I just love him. I love you, honey.

BRANDON RICHARD: I love you, too.

The Couples Odyssey, it was an eye-opener. And I think it really saved our marriage, because it helped me to understand that sometimes I think I'm being clear, and I'm not. And then it showed the kids sometimes things do get a little rough. Sometimes things get bad. And that doesn't necessarily mean you just gotta quit. Get up. Try again.

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[LAUGHTER]

TANIKI RICHARD: Couples Odyssey taught me how to change my life. It's actually taken me where now I can peer mentor other veterans on that very thing, but give them practical applications, talk to them like, sister, sister, girl, listen, this is how it is.

You talk about trauma on a whole other level. And me, as being a trauma expert, I've talked to many other veterans and people abroad, survivors of abuse.

That's the reason why I started my podcast. I wanted to be a voice for those who have not told their stories, and for those who have a success story of their own.

BRANDON RICHARD: Watching her fight for her mental health, fighting for other veterans, fighting for this family, helped me to fight, too. I always loved her, but I love her 10 times more today. This is my battle buddy for life.

TANIKI RICHARD: Mental health is always something that I'm putting in my forefront. I have to be mindful. I have to be determined and not give up on myself. When you can ask for help, you are being the strongest person that you can be for yourself and for those who are around you.

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BRANDON RICHARD: You're good. You-- appreciate you. Y'all good.