Sometimes the hardest battles aren't fought overseas. They're fought in living rooms, late at night, when the weight of war refuses to let go. In this powerful conversation, Ashley Sylvester shares the story of her husband, Army Sergeant Jason Sylvester, whose deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan left invisible scars that followed him home.

Ashley walks us through the subtle shifts she saw over time: sleepless nights, changes in mood, outbursts, and moments when Jason seemed present in body but gone in spirit. She describes the impossible balancing act of protecting their children, seeking help inside and outside the military system, and watching the walls close in.

Her honesty shines a light on the barriers veterans face, the threat of losing security clearances, stigma, and fear of losing careers, which keep too many from getting the support they need. Most of all, she shares the heartbreak of losing Jason to suicide, and why recognizing the warning signs and having hard conversations could make all the difference for another family.

This episode covers a difficult topic, but it's also a call to action: don't ignore what you see, don't wait, and don't give up on finding the help that's out there.

Timestamps:

• 04:27 - The first signs of sleepless nights and nightmares





• 13:00 - The rucksack of trauma that only grows heavier





• 18:00 - Creative strategies Ashley used to get her husband to talk





• 31:00 - When Jason began to mentally check out





• 44:15 - The tornado, the loss of everything, and the final spiral

Links & Resources

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1





• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/JasonSylvester2017





• Follow Ashley Sylvester on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-sylvester-b426a4263

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.