Veteran Singer Advocates Mental Health
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As Military Appreciation Month and Mental Health Awareness Month continue, Benjamin Hightower is using his platform to speak openly about mental health and life after military service.
Hightower, an Air Force veteran and Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, gained national attention following his breakout performance on America’s Got Talent.
Now, he says he wants to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health struggles many veterans experience when transitioning to civilian life.
According to Hightower, leaving the military meant adjusting to a new identity and routine after years of structure and community in the Air Force.
He says music and storytelling became a way to process that transition while encouraging other veterans to seek support when needed.
Hightower partnered with The PenFed Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of long-term support for veterans and military families.
The organization provides programs focused on stability, opportunity, and resources for veterans after service.
Andrea McCarren, president of the foundation, says supporting veterans beyond active duty is critical as many continue facing mental health and transition challenges after leaving the military.
Hightower is also preparing to release his first EP this year centered on self-discovery, leaving the military, and building a new life in New York City.
