Aaron Hawkins is a veteran, musician, proud father, Certified Peer Specialist with the Veterans Health Administration, certified yoga instructor, and a dedicated human rights and environmental advocate. He is also the son of a U.S. Army Vietnam-era veteran and a mother who immigrated to the United States from Dominica on a student visa.
Growing up, Aaron was taught that mental health challenges were caused by witchcraft and that those experiencing them should be avoided and prayed for, not supported through medical care. These beliefs shaped how he understood and responded to his own mental health. From a young age, Aaron saw himself as a protector, following in the footsteps of his father, his superhero, who was a veteran, a leader in both his household and extended family, and, in Aaron’s eyes, capable of anything. When his father began working at MIT and was away during the week, Aaron took on the role of protecting his family. He would even sneak his mother’s scalpels (she worked as an X-ray technician at Yale) from his parent’s bathroom, believing he needed to be ready to defend his mother and sister if danger arose.
This sense of responsibility carried into school, where Aaron frequently found himself in fights from kindergarten through high school as he defended himself and his family. He recalls crying during these moments, conflicted, overwhelmed, and not wanting to be violent, yet feeling unable to control his emotions. In high school, he began using substances with friends and quickly noticed how they heightened his anxiety and worsened his mental health symptoms. At times, he experienced delusions, feeling as though the radio and even graphics on T-shirts were speaking directly to him. It was around this time that Aaron first found music as an outlet, improvising rhymes easily and identifying his emotions through songs.
At 19, Aaron enlisted in the military to protect and defend his country and was deployed to Iraq. Over the next several years, his mental health declined, reaching a critical point at age 22 when he placed a loaded pistol in his mouth in an attempt to quiet his racing thoughts. In that moment, he made the decision to live. In the years that followed, his mental health continued to fluctuate, including periods of hospitalization alongside moments of clarity and stability.
During a subsequent deployment, Aaron focused on healing through music, community, and spirituality. While stationed in Baghdad and Samarra, he formed a group with fellow service members and recorded music using only a broken headset, transforming limited resources into creative expression. At the same time, he explored different faith traditions, reading the Torah, Quran, and Bible, and attending various religious gatherings. This journey led him to a personal belief that “God is it, and it is in everything,” a grounding perspective that continues to sustain him.
After leaving the Army, Aaron sought care through the VA in West Haven, where he was diagnosed with PTSD. What followed was a long and often frustrating journey, seeking additional diagnoses, trying different medications, and navigating uncertainty. While some medications helped manage extreme symptoms, they also dulled his creativity, taking away one of his most important outlets, and heightened the stigma and ostracization Aaron felt. Doctors ruled out multiple diagnoses, and the absence of clear answers became its own challenge, at times making it harder for Aaron to stay consistent in his care. In the years that followed, Aaron experienced continued setbacks, including strained relationships, periods of self-harm, and additional hospitalizations.
Today, Aaron reflects on his journey with gratitude, for both the highs and the lows that shaped who he is. The role of protector has remained a constant in Aaron’s life, both a source of strength during difficult moments and, at times, a burden when it pulled him away from tending to his own wellbeing. Aaron has built a life centered on wellness, incorporating meditation, art, fitness, cooking for his family, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and therapy sessions into his weekly routine. He found the Tour for Life, a suicide prevention concert series dedicated to raising awareness around mental health. Through performing at these shows, he has discovered a space where he can have fun while prioritizing his wellbeing, free from stigma around not drinking and surrounded by a community united by a shared purpose.
Aaron’s mental health challenges have not disappeared, but he has built a strong support system and set of practices that help keep him grounded. He now uses his lived experience to support others as a peer specialist in the mental health field. He also coaches young people through their own challenges, empowering them to find their strength and voice. This role inspired his rap persona, “Coach Hawk,” a reflection of his commitment to guiding others while continuing his own journey of growth and healing.
You can listen to Aaron’s music on Apple Music, YouTube, and Instagram.
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Let’s Face It
Launched in 2022 by Mental Health Connecticut, Let’s Face It takes place every May in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout the month, we host and participate in events, share daily wellness content and vital resources, and spotlight Connecticut residents with lived experiences, amplifying their voices and journeys to inspire hope and understanding.
Why focus on stigma? Because it’s pervasive, taking on various forms, and we firmly believe that its power diminishes when faced head-on. By sharing these compelling stories and daily wellness content, our aim is to spark more conversations, show the individuality of mental health, and increase awareness. Through Let’s Face It, we hope to help create a safer and kinder Connecticut for all.
Let’s Face It 2026 is presented by ConnectiCare. Learn more at mhconn.org.
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