Michigan Veterans Harm Reduction Summit

Derek Blumke is the Grunt Style Foundation’s Veteran Impact Fellow, dedicated to addressing the overprescribing epidemic affecting veterans and service members—his work advocates for safer psychiatric medication practices for those who have served in the Armed Forces. In 2008, Derek co-founded Student Veterans of America while studying at the University of Michigan, where he served as President and Executive Director. Under his leadership, SVA was pivotal in passing the Post 9/11 GI Bill  through Congress. Derek has held several key roles, including founding director of the VA’s national mental health program, the VITAL Initiative, and chief operations officer for the VFW Department of Michigan. He also contributed as a writer and editor for Mad in America, focusing on veterans' mental health. Derek, a 12-year Air Force and Michigan Air National Guard veteran, deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. He holds a degree from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Nonfiction Writing from Alma College.

Angela Peacock, MSW, CPC-ICF, served in the U.S. Army for seven years as a communications specialist with one deployment to Iraq. After a series of traumas, she was prescribed over 40 medications for the treatment of her “disorders.” She eventually discontinued all medications, let go of her identity as a patient, regained most of her health, and rebuilt an amazing life. Angie’s story of withdrawal and recovery appears in the new film Medicating Normal (2020). After the film's release, she led the outreach effort, engaging over 180 audiences during community screenings and worldwide panel discussions. Angie now serves as a psychiatric drug withdrawal consultant and healing coach. She provides education and support to individuals, families, and organizations interested in harm reduction and the healing from and deprescribing of psychiatric drugs. Some of her past roles in the community include being a board member of World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day, a veteran liaison with Benzodiazepine Information Coalition, a team member at the Inner Compass Initiative, and outreach for Medicating Normal.

Robert Whitaker is an American journalist and author who has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for The Boston Globe that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, Mad in America, was named by Discover magazine as one of the best science books in 2002. Anatomy of an Epidemic won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors Book Award for best investigative journalism. He is the publisher of madinamerica.com. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) in the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science.

Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS, PhD, is the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Outro Health, the world's first clinic dedicated to psychiatric medication discontinuation. Through his clinical and doctoral research, research into peer support websites and his own personal experience coming off antidepressants, Dr. Horowitz pioneered the hyperbolic tapering method. He is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry at North East London NHS Foundation Trust and an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at University College London.

Diana Hazel Rodriguez, a military child and Army veteran (15R, AH64D Longbow Attack Helicopter Mechanic), embodies a deep-rooted connection to the veteran community. As a veteran herself, a spouse to a disabled veteran, and a mother of six, her experiences have fueled a decade-long commitment to veteran advocacy. Diana's passion for service extends far beyond her time in the Army; she is a tireless champion for transformation within the military community, striving to ensure that past missteps pave the way for a brighter future. With a recent BS in Applied Psychology, Diana is equipped with the knowledge and tools to uplift and empower fellow veterans, helping them heal, grow, and achieve their full potential. Her unwavering dedication serves as a beacon of hope, illuminating the path toward a stronger, more supportive community for those who have selflessly served our nation. 

Jen Kljajic, LICSW founded Made Real in honor of her brother and father, both veterans who worked manual labor their entire life and suffered from Chronic Pain. Jen grew up in Michigan and earned her MSW from University of Hawaii in 2004 and has had an LICSW since 2013. Jen went into the field of social work to help children in schools who were at risk. Learning how ADHD, Trauma and Neglect affected learning sparked her interest in cognitive neuroscience. For 10 years, she spent most of her extra time learning best practices and interventions to help students who did not fit into the neurotypical learning environment in the public school setting. Jen provided intervention to students and education to teachers and leadership on how to optimize the learning environment for students at risk including making space for calming environments within the schools as well as activity centers for kinesthetic learners. Her focus shifted in 2018 when she lost her brother after he was fast tapered from opioids he took as prescribed for Chronic Pain and placed on a benzodiazepine that had devastating side effects. It was at that time, she knew she had to take what she learned about neuroplasticity and apply it to our silent and invisible epidemic of Chronic Pain and Iatrogenic Illness. Jen specializes in Chronic Pain, Grief and Loss, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and Medication Dependency when taken as prescribed and tapering.

Jeri Reed, Surviving Mother of US Army Veteran Cody Camacho.

• Green Star Mother Demands Answers from VA Secretary (Mad in America)

• A Son's Suicide, A Mother's Quest to Help Others (American Legion)

Cody J. Camacho, age 39, a resident of Des Plaines, Illinois since 2016 passed away November 2, 2021. A beloved husband, loving father, and dear brother,  Cody was born August 1, 1982 to Jeri Reed. Cody served in the US Army and was deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom from March 2003 to 2004. Cody was Vice Commander of American Legion Post 36 and an active member of St. Stephens Church. 

Cody's mother wants the Office of the Inspector General to investigate the circumstances of Cody’s death, the quality of the treatment he received, and the role that antipsychotic drugs played in his suicide and for the VA to conduct real investigations and collect information following these deaths to try to better understand the causes.

Joshua Parish is an Iraq War Veteran who’s greatest passion is helping veterans when they transition into civilian life and giving them the best opportunity to be successful. Parish has over 15 years of experience working with local, state, and federal government agencies creating programs that have developed sustainable solutions including: Veterans Treatment Court, Transitional Housing for Homeless Veterans, Veterans Transportation Initiative, among others. Parish has been awarded the Community Leader Best of Michigan Award and a Veteran Hero Award. He holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Western Michigan Thomas Cooley School of Law. Parish is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of VetLife.