Jon Dykes

Jon Dykes is a medically retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. He has deployed to combat operations in Iraq, serving 4 different tours of duty there. He served as a Scout Section Leader, with the 3rd Infantry Division’s 7th Cavalry. After returning from his last combat deployment, Jon was diagnosed with severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and mild Traumatic Brain Injuries, after having been involved in over 15 IED attacks.

Upon his return to civilian life, following his medical retirement, Jon suffered greatly from the effects of PTSD and mTBI, along with survivor’s guilt, a loss of identity, depression and complete hopelessness. He then began to self-medicate these problems with alcohol and prescription pain pills, in an attempt to free himself from the constant barrage of “flashbacks” and reoccurring nightmares of war. He continued in this downward spiral, which ultimately led to a drug overdose followed by a suicide attempt on his life.

Having survived, Jon was awakened with a new purpose. He sought the help needed to overcome his addictions, and through counseling has fought his way back to the man he once was. In addition to this, he has sought out to help other veterans suffering the effects of PTSD and mTBI, along with others that may be contemplating suicide, or are fighting with their own addictions. It is now his goal in life, to help others. In that, Jon has found his healing.