Derrick is an Army veteran and former first responder. Originally from New Jersey, Derrick enlisted out of high school and served in the Army for 9 years. After being honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant (E-6),

Derrick went into civilian law enforcement and served for seventeen years. The experiences from the military and law enforcement were the foundation that caused Derrick to receive a degree in psychology and then become a state-certified mental health peer specialist.

Derrick continues to serve, addressing mental health issues, the suicide crisis, and homelessness. Derrick facilitates mental health peer support groups (in person and online). There is HOPE! There is HELP! 

Steven Bates served in both the US Air Force Reserves and the US Air Force for a total of 18 years combined service.  His first assignment was with the 919th Special Operations Group where he fulfilled a

position as a Fire Team Leader in a 44-member Air Base Ground Defense Response Unit.  Serving in the Air Force, Steven served as a Stinger Missile Team Chief, a Missile Field Flight Security Controller, an

Assistant Security Forces Flight Chief, as well as various other combat and special weapons capacities.

He is a Gulf war veteran that has served his nation in several countries and continents.

Since departing the military, Steven struggled with depression and PTSD as well as the repressed trauma from being a rape victim early in his career and numerous health issued from military service.

Recuperating has been a long struggle including a few suicide attempts but in his recovery efforts he has become certified in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training)

and completed the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team Certification training course.  He served as a co-facilitator for a Suicide Attempt Survivor Support Group known as the Lived Experience for the non-profit

Grace for 2 Brothers Foundation out of Cheyenne Wyoming and has been a facilitator for the Warriors for Life Peer virtual Support Groups for over 2 years.

Steven is a published author and runs a non-profit of his own, www.poemspeak.org , which provides a free book of PTSD, depression and suicide related poetry to any who ask.  All 6 of his books of poetry can

be found on Amazon through his Author’s page at Amazon.com: Steven Bates: books, biography, latest

update  .

Steven has also become an ordained minister and has a degree in Security Administrations.  He currently lives in Athens, Alabama with his wife and three dogs, and hopes to live long enough to see his seven

grandchildren graduate college.  He is rated 100% (service connected) permanently and totally disabled by the VA for PTSD, depression, fibromyalgia, asthma, multiple surgeries and many other ailments and

injuries.

He can be reached at stevenb@victoryforveterans.org  or by phone at 307-287-3615