Join Steven & Friends TONIGHT for "They're Coming to Take Me Away!" with Warriors for Life (WFL)

Join our Volunteer, Air Force Veteran, Peer Support Specialist, and Writer/Author Steven Bates TONIGHT for "Mid-Week Musings!" edition of Warriors for Life (WFL) Online, sponsored and presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV).

We are asking everyone to share who we are and what support that Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) is providing via WFL. If you know someone who is a veteran, first responder or a family member/caregiver, please ask them to join us for at least one meeting so they can learn more about what we do and how they can share their wisdom with others who may be able to learn from them.

TONIGHT's Topic:  "They're Coming to Take Me Away!"

"They're coming to take me away, Ha Ha!' was a song released on this date in 1966 by Jerrold Samuels, otherwise known as Napoleon XIV.  In this song, Napoleon XIV portrays a mentally ill individual who is tormented over the loss of a relationship and ends up in a mental institution.  Jerrold Samuels often sang under this pseudonym, using a humorous approach to mental illness to draw attention to the plight of those afflicted. 

In his later years, Napoleon XIV worked as a music director at a seniors home until his own struggles with Parkinson's dementia caused his death in 2023.  Sadly, many people got the wrong idea with his songs, songs like 'I'm happy I live in a split-level head' often gave conflicting opinions about schizophrenia and dementia to many and created fear about mental illness.  Movies, likewise, such as 'Carrie' and 'Halloween' gave scary views about mentally ill individuals. 

What is Mental Health Stigma?

So what can we do to alter the stigma that song and movies have given mental illness? What positive examples from songs and movies are there of mental conditions such as depression?" 

6 Things You Can Do to Reduce Mental Health Stigma

Join Air Force veteran, author, and Peer Support Specialist Steven Bates with the Warriors for Life Mid-Week Musing Support Group as we discuss the Stigma of Mental Health.

Warriors for Life (WFL) Online "Mid-Week Musings!" edition presented by Victory for Veterans, Inc. (VFV) — Wednesday (TONIGHT), July 23 2025, @ 4:30 PM PT, 5:30 PM MT, 6:30 PM CT, & 7:30 PM ET

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87440882846 

Thank you,

Steven Bates

Air Force Veteran, Writer/Author, Peer Support Specialist, &

Volunteer Facilitator, Victory for Veterans, Inc.

“Honor & Respect Always — Warriors for Life!”