Veterans are incredibly resilient. 

Many are also—as a result of their military experience, training and culture—more vulnerable after their service if they:

+ lack a sense of community and purpose

+ do not connect with mental health services

+ fail to properly secure their firearms

Military service or not, everyone experiences trauma in their life. If unaddressed, it can sneak up when you least expect it…when you’re the most vulnerable. 

If you’re a veteran, or know one, below are three (3) simple things you can do right now that could mean the difference between life and death.

I. PURPOSE + CONNECTION

Veterans who find community and continued service after the military are healthier and happier—mentally, physically, emotionally.

Click here to see how The Mission Continues provides connectedness and purpose to veterans through their local service platoons.

II. MENTAL HEALTH

Talk therapy isn’t for depressed people or weak people. It’s for smart people. Mental health is for everyone…and is more widely available, effective and varied today than ever before. 

Click here to find a local mental health care provider via Bob Woodruff Foundation’s resource directory.

III. GUN SAFETY

Two thirds veteran suicides are by gun. Vets are more likely to own a gun and store it with ammunition, making them 1.5x more likely to die by suicide.

Click here to learn a few gun storage tips from Everytown for Gun Safety that might save a life.

ABOUT

MERITxZOE is a narrative short film (dark comedy-drama), inspired by real people, with a compelling social impact message. Via a creative narrative and stylized approach, the film explores mental health from a “boots on ground” perspective and aims to portray military veterans more authentically than the filmmakers and actors (most veterans themselves) have seen to date.

The script centers on two female veterans, best friends from the Army, who are at odds but inexorably connected. We see how their words and actions have profound impacts on each other's lives. And how something like talk therapy, reviled by one character and revered by the other, can make the difference between life and death.

The story is personal. The characters are inspired by real people. The voice is authentic. Writer/director Kyle Hausmann-Stokes is a US Army combat veteran who knows PTSD first-hand, has lost three battle buddies to suicide, and has been creating films about the veteran experience for a decade.

Originally from Baltimore, MD, Morgan is known for A Christmas for Mary (2020), Being Mary Jane (2013) and 9-1-1: Lone Star (2020).

Haskiri is most well-known for starring in Peacock’s massive hit reboot of the iconic television series Saved by the Bell. She also appeared in Rada Blank’s award-winning Sundance feature The Forty Year Old Version, now playing on Netflix.

A Vietnam combat veteran, veteran advocate and actor with over a 50+ year career, Tucker is known for films such as The Cotton Club (1984), Contact (1997), Deep Impact (1998), Traffic (2000) and TV shows including Babylon 5, The X-Files, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Friends.

“Finance Vet” - Thom Tran

THEN: ARMY ‘01-’04. Staff Sergeant. Airborne Infantry. Iraq.
NOW: Comedian, Actor. GIs of Comedy Founder.

“Teacher Vet” - Alicia Borja

THEN: USAF ‘02-’08. Military Police. Iraq, Afghanistan.
NOW: Actress, Model, Stunts.

“Doctor Vet” - Zeke Alton

THEN: NAVY ‘99-’19. Commander. Test pilot.
NOW: Actor, Voice Actor, PCAP performer.

“Artist Vet” - Assia Lau'ren

THEN: ARMY ‘14-‘20. Captain. Airborne. Jumpmaster. Field Artillery. Human & Counter Intel. Eastern Europe (Russia mission). Turkey. NOW: Actor, Producer, Author

“Contractor Vet” - Josh Beck

THEN: NAVY ‘13-’18. Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. 3rd Div
NOW: Actor.

“Retired Vet” - Richard Milanesi

THEN: MARINES '69-'72. 1st LT. Infantry Officer. Vietnam.
NOW: Actor, Retired School Administrator

“Retired Vet” - James Bane

THEN: MARINES 00’-08’, Sergeant, Field Military Police, Iraq
Now: Actor, Stunts, Military Advisor, USC Theatre MFA

“Mitchell” - Daril Fannin

THEN: ARMY ‘05-’14. Sergeant. Medic.
NOW: Writer, Producer, Actor. Loyola Screenwriting MFA.

Kyle is an award-winning director based in Los Angeles. His passion as filmmaker is informed by the five years he served in the US Army as an Airborne Infantryman and convoy commander in Iraq (Bronze Star recipient). After using the GI Bill to graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Kyle founded a veteran-focused production company and wrote/directed dozens of PSAs and cause-focused campaigns for the US Dept of Veterans Affairs. In 2012 Kyle co-founded Veterans in Media & Entertainment, an organization that offers training, job placement and community to its five thousand members across the country, as well as the foremost connector between Hollywood studios and the military/veteran community. In addition to directing advertising campaigns for various national brands (IBM, UPS, REI, U.S. Air Force), Kyle’s most impactful work to date was the "Veterans For Gun Reform" PSA for #MarchForOurLives that received over 35 million views.

Liz Manashil is the former Manager of Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative and is the producer/director/writer of SPEED OF LIFE on Showtime starring Ann Dowd (THE HANDMAID’S TALE) and BREAD AND BUTTER starring Bobby Moynihan (SNL). She produced and directed for the Hulu/PBS show JUST SEEN IT as well as shorts and music videos including Beth Thornley’s “You’re So Pony.” Liz is the co-host of the hit podcast “Making Movies Is Hard!!!” She received an MFA from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and has come to specialize in fostering and creating feminist content with a whimsical twist.

Benjamin Dunn was born on May 23, 1980 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Forgotten Place (2021), These Final Hours (2021) and Muffin Man (2003).

Sean Conaty has shot films that have premiered at Cannes, Berlin and SXSW. His vast commercial work spans clients such as Apple, AT&T, Coca-Cola, Facebook, Google, Mercedes-Benz, MLB, Sony and Under Armour. He’s shot music videos for artists including The Killers, Aly & AJ, and Mastodon. His photography has been featured in various exhibits and publications including Line of Sight, and Point of View. Sean has MFA in Film Production from USC, is a member of Local 600 Cinematographers Guild and based in Los Angeles.

Jamie Castro started her career in casting as an intern for the 2006 Pete Berg directed film “The Kingdom”. Her first day, she knew she wanted to build my career in casting. Since then, Jamie has worked with the industry’s top casting directors before finally going out on her own. She has worked in both film & television, most recently for the Shondaland shows, “Scandal”, “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Station 19” and “Inventing Anna” for Netflix. During quarantine, Jamie pursued another passion and began coaching actors.

Member Art Directors Guild Local 800. For decades Bruce has worked as an Art Director and Production Designer on hundreds of commercials, music videos, film, events and concerts. Clients include: Apple, Porsche, Cadillac, Samsung Galaxy, GMC, and AT&T ( full client list). TV/film credits include: -Legends of the Fall-The Edge-Wild America-Weight of Water-Honey I Shrunk the Kids (Series)-The Ruby Silver

Diana’s most recent television projects include Grace and Frankie (Netflix) and South Side (HBO Max).  Diana recently edited the dramatic impact short film MeritxZoe, which highlights the issue of mental health among combat veterans. The short film, Honeymoon, written and directed by Amy Aniobi, won the Starz/Lionsgate Short Film award at the BlackStar Film Festival in 2020 and was featured at the Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase in 2021.  Diana is co-chair of the women’s steering committee of the Motion Pictures Editors Guild and is represented by Innovative Artists.  

Graphite Man is the electro-pop solo project of Grammy-winning songwriter and producer, Kyle Rictor. Rictor has lived in Nashville, TN for the past 10 years playing guitar on tour for acts like Paper Route, Brooke Waggoner and Ben Rector. In recent years he has been active in the studio — writing, performing and producing records for artists like TwiceYoung, Kye Kye and For King and Country, the last of which earning him a Grammy.

Active in Styling and the entertainment industry consistently for the last 6 years. Strong leader and analytical problem solver intending to integrate strong communication skills to meet the needs of the business.

Lyandre is a US Army veteran and the writer/director of the award-winning series The 6th Degree. He’s worked in production for The Daily Show and several independent productions and is a member of the Writers Guild of America.

Jay Blair is an actor and writer, known for My Haunted House (2013), Asphalt Jungle and The Hummingbirds (2013).

Chris helms a strategic communications firm specializing in engaging veteran voices in important social issues like gun violence prevention and civic engagement. Clients have included Everytown for Gun Safety, HBO, the USO, The Mission Continues, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. Chris founded the Got Your 6 campaign to advocate for accurate portrayals of military veterans in film, TV, and popular media. He served for seven years as a U.S. Army officer and Black Hawk helicopter pilot and is a combat-wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Paige is a recent graduate of the American Film Institute with a MFA in Directing and prior to that the Art Institute of Washington, with a BFA in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production. During her time in the US Army she held the title of Visual Information Equipment Operator/Maintainer (25R) and cross-trained into Graphic Design and Photography. The last four years of her military service were spent as an Audio Visual Director for the offices of the 44th President and VP of the United States. Paige is currently working on writing her first feature and a short form experimental TV show.

+ VIEW THE FILM: while MxZ is on the festival circuit, we’d be happy to email you a private screener link.

+ HOST A SCREENING: for your own in-person or virtual event, the film is available and meant to be shared.

+ DISCUSSION GUIDE: ready-to-download and spark conversation. Created by Impact Producer Chris Marvin.