Page 9 - ATT DEI Annual Report

A Story of Courage

W hen Scott Mendoza is at work, Roy usually by his side – that meant taking Roy to work– but
is too. A happy 2-year-old mutt, Roy is a
introducing a service dog to coworkers meant
rescue pup who was trained as a service potentially having tough conversations about
dog to assist veterans – like Mendoza – who have his disability.
been diagnosed with PTSD. It’s Roy’s job to sense AS LEADERS, WE
when flashbacks start replaying in Mendoza’s mind. “I told my supervisor and he said he respected my “
To alert his owner of a potential episode, he then courage and asked to learn more so that he could Intro Employees Communities Customers Content Suppliers Awards
jumps on his knee and offers a hug. better support me and others with PTSD,” Mendoza SHOULD KNOW
recalls. “However, I did experience some tough
Mendoza is a graduate of the United States Air Force questions from fellow employees. And that’s okay!
Academy and a former Air Force officer who exudes Because I knew the majority of those questions
confidence, strength and positivity. For years, as came from a lack of mental health awareness. HOW TO REACT TO
a Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot, he supported People probably looked at me and thought,
surveillance and strike missions around the world, ‘He looks totally fine! I wonder why he needs a
often witnessing the atrocities of war firsthand. service dog.’” AND SUPPORT

Mendoza knew transitioning out of the military “PTSD is an invisible disability,” Mendoza explains.
could be difficult. So as his military service neared “I suspect a number of employees are dealing
completion he enrolled in the Department of with PTSD and other mental health issues and OUR PEERS WHEN
Defense’s Skillbridge program, which enables choose not to tell their bosses they need an
transitioning service members to take advantage of accommodation because there is often a stigma
civilian internships while still on active duty. When he around it. Not everyone is understanding.”
applied for an internship at AT&T, recruiter JoHanna THEY COME TO
Martinez recognized his talent and made sure he “But I had the opposite experience,” he says, adding 9
landed in just the right spot. that he wants to challenge AT&T to continue to
spotlight mental health issues. “As leaders, we
Today Mendoza is a manager of Strategic should know how to react to and support each US ABOUT THEIR
Partnerships and Ecosystem Development at other, especially those with mental health issues.” Scott Mendoza
FirstNet. He says he was hired there not in spite of Strategy Partnerships
his military background, but because of it. “In both AT&T is a perfect fit for Mendoza and Roy. The FirstNet MENTAL HEALTH.”
organizations we’re called to serve. The military veteran has made valuable connections through
serves the nation. FirstNet serves public safety,” the AT&T Veterans employee resource group, AT&T D&I Annual Report 2019
he explains. and Roy feels like part of the FirstNet family now.
Most importantly, Mendoza feels supported by a
At first, Mendoza was caught off guard by PTSD company that welcomes and respects veterans not
symptoms. But with the support of his wife and just in word, but in action. That’s because AT&T, he
family, he found help. And after Roy came into his says, values veterans as individuals with their own
life, things got easier at home. Roy needed to be unique talents, abilities and stories to tell.