Operation Mend, Movember Raise Awareness for Men’s Mental Health

Brian Schiefer, U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant (ret.) and Operation Mend's Team Captain

UCLA Operation Mend, a program that treats wounded veterans and service members suffering from the physical and psychological wounds of war, is teaming up with the Movember Foundation to raise awareness and funds for men’s health.

United States Air Force Staff Sergeant (ret.) Brian Schiefer, an Operation Mend patient, is serving as Team Captain for the campaign.

Prior to his fourth deployment, Schiefer was instantly paralyzed from the waist down in a military training accident at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, on November 11, 2008.

Schiefer suffered complex injuries and had to learn how to take charge of his physical and mental health. Having lost some friends to suicide, Schiefer is sharing his story and encouraging other men, particularly veterans suffering from mental health issues, to seek help.

To learn more about the Operation Mend Movember Team and help raise funds, visit www.movember.com/UCLAOperationMend.

UCLA Operation Mend provides advanced surgical and medical treatment, as well as comprehensive psychological-health support for post-9/11-era service members, veterans and their families. The program also provides social support as well as advanced diagnostics, and intensive treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. There is no cost to the participants.