The George W. Bush Institute’s Veteran Wellness Alliance is a coalition of veteran peer-to-peer networks and best-in-class mental and brain health care providers who connect veterans, service members, their families, caretakers, and survivors to high-quality care for their invisible wounds.
Q&A with Anna Goletz, Chief Operating Officer, and Blas Villalobos, Chief Executive Officer, Centerstone’s Military Services
Please tell us about Centerstone’s Military Services mission.
Centerstone’s Military Services saves lives and restores hope by providing high-quality behavioral health services to veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard, Reserve, and their families. Every aspect of our work is driven by this commitment to tailored mental health care services.
We also recognize that the invisible wounds of war – such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts – can be just as devastating as physical injuries. That’s why we offer trauma-informed, culturally competent care designed to meet the unique needs of the military community. We don’t just provide care – we provide a lifeline. We believe that no one who has served our country should ever feel like they have to suffer in silence.
Please share how your military service has inspired your work at Centerstone’s Military Services.
Blas Villalobos:
After my combat deployment to Iraq during the 2003 invasion, I returned to my hometown in West Texas. I was battling post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety – though at the time, I didn’t fully understand just how deeply I was struggling. I’ll never forget the night my parents had to wake me from a nightmare using a broomstick. It was the only way they knew how to help me and a clear sign that none of us knew how to handle what I was going through.
Weeks went by as I struggled with feelings of isolation and hopelessness. On Dec. 31, 2003, I attempted to end my life. That failed suicide attempt became a turning point – a wake-up call that I had been given a second chance. In that moment, I made a decision: I would find a way to help other veterans, even though I had no idea what that would look like at the time.
It wasn’t until 2005, after losing the first of several friends to suicide, that I truly understood how many others were fighting similar battles. That loss pushed me to pursue a career dedicated to supporting veterans and their families – ensuring they never feel as alone as I once did.
Centerstone’s Military Services provides a vital lifeline for those who are struggling, offering both hope and the support needed to heal. No one should ever feel that suicide is their only option. At Centerstone, we take that responsibility to heart – our top priority is delivering compassionate, lifesaving care that changes the lives of those we serve.
Anna Goletz:
My military service journey has been shaped not by wearing the uniform myself, but by standing beside someone who did. As the spouse of a combat veteran who served three overseas tours, two in active war zones in Iraq and a third during the height of the pandemic, I’ve lived the quiet, often unseen, side of military life. I spent nearly a year raising our three children alone while my husband was deployed, and it was during those long months that I truly understood the resilience, sacrifice, and strength required not just of our service members, but of their families as well. That experience ignited a deep passion in me to care for our nation’s heroes, their families, and their caregivers.
With 15 years of experience in community mental health, I found my calling at Centerstone’s Military Services. Every day, I have the privilege of giving back to those who have given so much for me and my family. My work is inspired by personal experience and grounded in a commitment to ensure that no military family feels forgotten or unsupported.
How has being a member of the Veteran Wellness Alliance enhanced the mission of Centerstone’s Military Services?
Blas Villalobos:
Becoming a member of the Veteran Wellness Alliance has enhanced our mission by giving us the opportunity to work with other like-minded organizations. At Centerstone’s Military Services, we believe in collaboration, and we know not one single organization can do it all. We are stronger, better and far more effective when we collaborate, and, as a team, we have been able to reach more veterans and family members in need of our support.
Anna Goletz:
Being a member of the Veteran Wellness Alliance has been a transformative experience for Centerstone’s Military Services. It’s an honor to be part of such a collaborative network that brings together some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable professionals in the veteran service space. The [Alliance] has opened doors allowing us to share best practices, build strong referral pathways, and ultimately enhance the care we provide to veterans, service members, and their families.
One of the most meaningful aspects of our involvement has been supporting the Alliance’s mission to ensure that veterans in all 50 states, regardless of their era of service or discharge status, have access to high-quality, compassionate care. That inclusive approach aligns perfectly with Centerstone’s values.
What tips do you give service members and their families when searching for mental and brain health care?
Blas Villalobos:
Don’t wait – ask questions and reach out for help. I know firsthand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re in a dark place. There were times in my own journey when I truly believed there was no way forward and that the light at the end of the tunnel might just be another train coming. That kind of hopelessness is hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t lived it – but I’ve been there, and I know how real it is.
What I also know is that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s one of the bravest things you can do. It takes an incredible amount of strength to admit to ourselves that we’re struggling, and even more to take that first step toward healing. But once you do, things can start to change. You begin to see that you’re not alone, and that support is out there – people who genuinely care and are ready to walk with you through the hardest parts.
Anna Goletz:
One of the most important tips I share with service members and their families when searching for mental and brain health care is try not to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out. Regular check-ins with a provider, a peer, or even just within your own family can make a world of difference.
I also encourage families to seek out providers and organizations that truly understand the military experience. That’s why I’m so proud of the work we do at Centerstone’s Military Services. We offer culturally competent care tailored specifically to the needs of service members, veterans, and their loved ones.
Above all, I remind families that asking for help is a sign of strength. You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. There are people who understand and resources ready to walk alongside you every step of the way.
What are you most looking forward to or what gives you hope for the future of wellness in the veteran and military service space?
Blas Villalobos:
There are several things I’m genuinely excited about.
First, it’s encouraging to see mental health being openly discussed within the veteran community. The days of treating it as a taboo subject are fading. More veterans are sharing their experiences, acknowledging the challenges they face, and recognizing the impact on their families. Just as importantly, they’re reaching out for help – and accepting it.
Second, the level of collaboration across our community has never been stronger. Organizations are coming together, forming meaningful partnerships, and focusing on how best to serve veterans. The Veteran Wellness Alliance is a great example of what’s possible when we unite around a common purpose.
And, finally, I couldn’t be prouder of the collective efforts to support military families and caregivers. Their service and sacrifice often go unseen, but the work being done to uplift and care for them is truly inspiring.
Anna Goletz:
What gives me the most hope for the future is the growing recognition that mental and brain health are just as vital as physical health and that seeking support is courageous. I envision a future where every veteran and military family can access the highest quality care with ease, without barriers, and without stigma.
I’m encouraged by the progress we’re making through partnerships like the Veteran Wellness Alliance and the work we do at Centerstone’s Military Services. Together, we’re building a landscape where care is not only accessible, but also tailored, compassionate, and culturally competent. We’re creating systems that meet people where they are, and that’s a powerful shift.
At the heart of everything I do is a deep gratitude for those who serve and the families who stand beside them. My hope is that through continued collaboration, compassion, and innovation, we’ll build a future where every veteran and military family feels empowered to live their healthiest, most fulfilling lives. It’s an honor to be part of that journey and I’m excited for all that’s still to come.
