Betsey Mercado

Share your military spouse story:
I have been an Army spouse for 25 years, experiencing service in both reserve and active duty, and on the enlisted and officer sides. We have lived worldwide, raising our kids through constant change, and building community wherever the Army needs us most. For the first 15 years, I was a stay-at-home mom. Frequent moves, five deployments, and constant training made it hard to find flexible work opportunities. Volunteering became a way for me to stay engaged while being present for our kids, especially when my spouse was away. I supported my spouse's units, our kids' schools, and the families around us. We've overcome the peaks and valleys of service together, like most Army families. However, we've lost more people in our lives to suicide than to combat. Ten years ago, we took action and launched a non-profit to combat suicide in the military. Since then, I have focused my work, career, and purpose on mental health advocacy and innovation, supporting military and veteran families.

Describe any leadership positions or provide an overview of your leadership contributions within the military community.
I have had the opportunity to hold leadership roles supporting service members, veterans, military spouses, families, and caregivers at many levels. Since 2017, I have served as the Executive Director of the Objective Zero Foundation, using technology to combat suicide in our community through peer support and resources. I lead a diverse staff and nearly 3,000 volunteers, building partnerships across nonprofit, for-profit, and government spaces, oversee app development and program evaluation, and I lead our fundraising efforts. I am currently working towards a PhD in Organizational Leadership to further enhance my leadership skills. I have served as a Family Readiness Group Leader and Advisor, supporting 2,000 soldiers, spouses, and families in various infantry units and in a multinational command. In these roles, I have helped advise commanders on military family issues, supported care team efforts, and planned large-scale events that strengthened connection and readiness.

What programs or projects are you currently involved in that support the needs of military families?
I am actively involved in multiple efforts that support the military community at the local, state, national, and international levels. For over a decade, my work has focused on reducing isolation, strengthening access to support, breaking down stigmas, and addressing the stressors that impact military families worldwide. I participate in national collaborations, including Face the Fight, working alongside partners to coordinate suicide prevention efforts across the military and veteran ecosystem. I led efforts to create the Strength through Service wellness courses in partnership with PsychArmor Institute for military spouses through the coalition. I advocate for military spouse employment, informed by years of navigating career disruption and relocation, and seeing friends experience the same issues even to this day. I also support initiatives addressing food insecurity and financial issues, recognizing the impact of family stability, well-being, and force readiness.

What moments best reflect your impact on building inclusive community among military spouses?
Some of the moments that best reflect my own impact come from building community for spouses who face added barriers. Some of my friends come from other countries, having married a service member, and are navigating English, a new country and culture. I have known others reluctant to seek support due to stigma or fear of affecting their service member's career. Living overseas myself, I observed how isolating military life can be, trying to navigate employment, education, childcare, and unfamiliar cultures. It undermines our mental health, relationships, and daily lives. Building inclusive communities is important to me. I have had friends and mentors who welcomed me immediately and showed me what belonging looks like, and there have been times when I simply did not feel included. Those formative experiences guide how I lead and treat others. I intentionally model the actions that made me feel supported and welcomed, and keep those perspectives in mind in my work with Objective Zero.

Identify your main advocacy effort and describe your personal connection to the cause.
My main advocacy effort is suicide prevention within the military-connected community. It's deeply personal for me. I was in high school the first time I lost a friend to suicide, and I thought it was something we would simply grow out of. Over the years, I've lost a family member, many friends, and soldiers who have served alongside my spouse. These losses influenced how I understand service, sacrifice, and our responsibility to support others. Like many military families, we've experienced cumulative stress due to deployments, relocations, loss, and unspoken expectations to just push through it all. 10 years ago, we reached a point where we had to do something and co-founded Objective Zero to connect people with peers who truly understand military life and get support without the fear of stigma or judgment. I am an advocate for prevention because I believe we are stronger together and can all play a part in preventing suicide by being there for one another.

Summarize your advocacy outreach strategies, including any events, media involvement, or other communication efforts.
My advocacy outreach spans public, policy, and media spaces focused on the military community. I served on MOAA's Currently Serving Spouse Advisory Board and completed the George W. Bush Institute's Veterans Stand-To Leadership Program. I have testified before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee and engaged elected officials to inform policy affecting military families. I speak at national convenings including Politico's Women Rule 2024, the American Association of Suicidology, and upcoming presentations at HIMSS on data-informed suicide prevention. I have facilitated national media recognition for my nonprofit and team, including features on the Today Show, CNN, Fast Company, Mashable, Inc, Diversity in Action, along with interviews on Cheddar, speaking on numerous podcasts, and local news. I have presented to the CDC on suicide prevention evaluation, completed formal media training, and led organizational marketing, social media strategy, and partnerships with Military Times.

What do you hope to accomplish with the AFI Military Spouse of the Year^® title?
If selected as an AFI Military Spouse of the Year, I intend to use the platform to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard or overlooked: our military families. Our service members, spouses, and families give so deeply of themselves in service to our country, and they face issues that they are unable or unwilling to speak about. I see this not as mere recognition but as an opportunity and responsibility to serve, to listen, and to reflect lived experience more accurately. I will carry and represent these perspectives in the conversations and rooms where decisions are made. It is important to me that military spouse advocacy is shaped by the diversity of our community, not just the most visible or loudest voices. By elevating real people, stories, and needs, I hope to contribute to breaking down stigmas and barriers, building stronger support systems, and building a community where every single spouse has the support they need in order to thrive.