Grass-roots veterans programs foster growth and healing

The creation of community-based, grass-roots programs focused on the psychological health of combat veterans has picked up considerably over the past decade.

Funded by individuals, small businesses and corporations through donations of money, goods and services — and time — these organizations develop and provide cutting-edge services to those most in need.

One particularly successful example is Boulder Crest Retreat for Military and Veteran Wellness.

BCR was founded in 2013 by Ken Falke, a retired Navy master chief petty officer, business leader and philanthropist, and his wife, Julia Falke. Based in Bluemont, Virginia, and nestled within the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, BCR delivers a variety of wellness programs to combat veterans and their families at no charge. In addition to offering family retreats that range from two to seven nights, BCR provides courses related to combat stress for veterans from all branches.

Its flagship program, Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing Heroes, or PATHH, is a great example of how veterans can heal when either talk therapy or medications don’t work or when veterans elect not to participate in them.

BCR is not a treatment center or clinic. Instead of focusing on clinical symptoms and psychiatric labels, PATHH helps combat veterans recognize and cultivate psychological, physical, spiritual and financial growth by harnessing their inner strength.

Although there are a variety of activities involved in the PATHH program, all have a common element of meditative and reflective experience. For example, participants walk a labyrinth with their fellow veterans. They engage in morning yoga. They spend time kayaking, hiking, and working with horses. And with the help of expert trainers, they learn Transcendental Meditation, how to prepare healthy meals, the basics of financial health, and how to establish a healthy personal network and professional mentors. In other words, the program teaches them how to struggle and live well.

In addition to helping them with life skills, PATHH teaches veterans how to manage difficult and strong emotions. They learn how to regulate their sleep, which leads to improvements in mood and anxiety. Relationship and communication skills are taught and refined, which leads to a better quality of life. And most importantly, they are reminded that they have the ability to overcome anything that life throws at them.

As more veterans seek alternative treatments for the psychological difficulties they battle, programs like BCR fill an important gap in veteran care. Let’s hope the funding streams remain strong for these organizations and the outcomes of their programs are appropriately evaluated and shared with the larger veteran community.

You can learn more about boulder Crest Retreat at http://www.bouldercrestretreat.org.

Bret A. Moore, Psy.D., is a board-certified clinical psychologist who served two tours in Iraq. Email him at [login to see] . This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to convey specific psychological or medical guidance.