Brought to you by the Depression Is Real Coalition, The Down & Up Show is dedicated to the reality of depression. Our hosts will talk with some of the world's top experts on depression, as well as people who have been impacted by this illness. The reality of depression is that it is a debilitating and potentially deadly medical condition that affects more than 15 million Americans every year. The other reality of depression is that there is hope.

Patrick B. McCathern

USAF SMSgt, First Sergeant, Retired

Mr McCathern is a nationally renowned speaker. In September 2001, the National Institute of Mental Health asked Mr. McCathern to participate in Real Men Real Depression, the first public education campaign aimed at raising awareness about depression in men. As a volunteer for the campaign, Mr. McCathern was featured in print and electronic public service announcements and participated in numerous media interviews and speaking engagements. He continues to serve as one of seven volunteer spokespeople (real men) for the campaign and has made a tremendous contribution in generating awareness about this issue. In October 2004, he was invited by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense to speak at the DOD Military Suicide Prevention Conference. His public service announcements could be see on TV, heard on radio and seen in major airports throughout the country.

Mr. McCathern was born at Shaw AFB, Sumter, South Carolina on 6 August 1953. From there he traveled the world: His father was enlisted Air Force, a Senior NCO working Aerospace Ground Equipment. He attended Dougherty High School in Albany Georgia, graduating in June 1971.

Mr. McCathern enlisted in the Air Force on 10 Oct 1974. After graduation from Basic Military Training, he attended the Secure Communications and Cryptographic Equipment Repairman course at Lackland AFB, Texas. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 2104th Communications Squadron, Gentile AFS, Defense Electronics Systems Center, Kettering, Ohio. After six months he was reassigned Join Spouse to the 1st Aerospace Communications Group, Offutt AFB, Nebraska at Strategic Air Command Headquarters. He worked in the first level underground which was commonly and jokingly called the "Concussion Floor". Three years later he received an assignment to the 1961st Communications Group, Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines.

When his rotation there ended in 1980 he was assigned to the Air Force Cryptographic Support Center, Electronic Systems Command, Kelly AFB, Texas, the forerunner to what is know known as CPSG. Thus was the beginning of a tour that lasted 20+ years in San Antonio. Almost three years later, July 1983, he was reassigned to the 3270th Technical Training Group, Lackland AFB, Texas as a Electronics Principles Instructor. While at the 3270th, he was an Instructor, an Instructor Supervisor, and eventually became the Division Superintendent.

In 1989 he departed for Pirinclik AS, Diyarbakir, Republic of Turkey. He held the position as Chief, Plans and Programs, Resource Advisor, NCOIC COMSEC Maintenance, NCOIC Satellite Television Systems and was the additional duty first sergeant. After his one year remote he was reassigned to the 1827th Electronics Installation Squadron, now the 838th Engineering Installation Sq, in 1990 (closed 2001). He performed as flight supervisor until picked by the Commander to run the Standard Installation Practices workcenter. In 1995 he voluntarily took a position with the LT directorate, Special Projects Division, San Antonio Air Logistics Center. In 1996, when Kelly AFB was selected for closure, he volunteered and was selected to become the "first" first sergeant for what is now the Cryptologic Systems Group.

His greatest "Service Before Self" occurred in the year 2000. He volunteered for and was the subject of an Air Force and worldwide video news story of suicide prevention, done in the first person. The video became the standard for suicide prevention. The video caught the attention of Headquarters Air Force and Mr. McCathern was called to the Pentagon to take part in another video, "Suicide--Supporting Those Left Behind". This video is currently on the suggested viewing list provided as a Wingman Day resource.

Mr. McCathern retired from the USAF 1 Jun 2001 and resides in Sierra Vista, AZ. In Sep 2001, the National Institute of Mental Health asked Mr McCathern if he would participate in the Real Men, Real Depression campaign. His involvement with NIMH continues to this day.

Mr McCathern currently works for US Army, CECOM, Communications Security Logistics Activity, Ft Huachuca, AZ traveling the continent providing secure communications equipment training as an Army New Equipment Training instructor.

Mr. McCathern is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal with three devices, Air Force Commendation Medal with three devices, The Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Other achievements include the Military Skills and World Affairs Awards from the Air Force Communications Command Non-commissioned Officer Course, twice selected the 3270th Technical Training Group Instructor of the Quarter and Year, twice selected the 3250th Wing Instructor of the Quarter, AETC Master Instructor rating and the ESC, small units category, First Sergeant of the Year 1997 and 1998.

Mr. McCathern was an active Kelly Air Force Base member. He taught Leadership at the Professional Development Course, Professionalism at the First Term Airman Center and Discipline at the Military Personnel Management Course. Sergeant at Arms for Kelly and Brooks AFB Dining In and Dining Outs. Master of Ceremonies for Kelly AFB Quarterly Awards Luncheons. Guest speaker at Airmen Leadership School graduations and NCO Induction Seminars.

Mr. McCathern is married to the former Susan Kress, First Sergeant, Army (retired) of South Carolina and has one daughter Laura (PFC US Army), son-in-law Jason (SSG US Army), grandson Noah and Jason Michael Patrick, granddaughters, Romaine, Anna, and Allyson, and four dogs: Corky, Buddie, Little One, and Sissy.