It's Never Too Late

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

04.28.2023

Story by Lance Cpl. Averi Rowton 

2nd Marine Division

With the smoke from the Twin Towers visible from his backyard, highschool sophomore Joseph Butrico decided that he was meant to serve his country as a United States Marine. Today, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Butrico serves as 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment’s battalion gunner.

Butrico joined the Marine Corps on March 24, 2005, and a year later found himself on his first combat deployment. While out on a mission in Afghanistan, Butrico very quickly had to make a life-altering decision– to pull the trigger or not. Little did he know that this very moment would have a lasting impact on his state of mind.

18 years later, Butrico drove out to a field to end his life. His phone unexpectedly rang and on the other end was his friend. They had a conversation that led to Butrico making a life-saving call to be able to get help.

“The first person I called was my medical officer,” Butrico says. “I called him, and I said, ‘hey, doc, I need help. I need to go away to inpatient care right now, or things are going to get crazy.’”

With his doctors’ help, he was able to be admitted to Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in San Antonio, Texas for 48 days of inpatient care. After realizing the seriousness of his situation, Butrico gained a new perspective on mental health and its importance.

“My personal experience of burying every issue that I had since I was a … lance corporal after my first deployment and just piling on more and more issues on top of that. Not asking for help. Not thinking I had an issue, even though I was angry, I isolated myself, and all I did was work.”



Butrico was in denial about his state of mind. He showed clear signs that things were going wrong, but feared the stigmas surrounding mental health. Butrico, like many other Marines, was unaware that seeking help would not harm his career.

“It takes a lot to ask for help,” he admits. “It took me 18 years, and it was the hardest decision of my life because I was afraid of all the stigmas.”

For Butrico, the Marine Corps was a place where he felt safe and comfortable. He was most at ease when he was working and often preferred to stay at work rather than venture outside of his comfort zone. Once he received help, he knew that there are many people out there that relate to him on that level so he created a podcast called “The Tribe.” The first episode debuted on March 20, 2023, not even three months after his suicide attempt.

“All you have to do is raise your hand– just like you did when you volunteered to serve the country,” stated Butrico.

He hopes to raise awareness and show that if he can get help and persevere through the struggles, then anyone can. Though things can get complicated in life, suicide is not the only option. Help is there whenever it is needed. Make that life-changing phone call. All you have to do is dial 988 or contact a friend. Be brave, be strong, and don’t give up.

• Date Taken: 04.28.2023
• Date Posted: 04.30.2023 18:00
• Story ID: 443622
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US