Veteran Holistic Support Services - The Eastern CT Veterans Community Center will provide Veteran Holistic Support Services to approximately 1,000 veterans annually, or 25% of the region’s 4,000 veterans, across Windham, Mansfield, Coventry, Columbia, Lebanon, Tolland, Ashford, Willington, Hampton, Chaplin, Scotland, and Hebron, Connecticut. Participants will be ages 25–98; 99% are male and 1% female, with most ages 50–80 and veterans of the Vietnam era. Almost all have post-traumatic stress disorder, diagnosed or undiagnosed; many have addiction issues, and some have contemplated suicide. Participants may also have service-related medical conditions, unemployment or retirement, or transportation barriers. Peer-to-peer support will anchor holistic, nontraditional wellness programming that complements VA health care and focuses on preventing acute mental health incidents, improving quality of life, and reducing the frequency and intensity of mental health crises. The Center will partner with VA health care and local mental health providers to identify veterans who may benefit. Participant surveys and provider assessments will evaluate changes in health and wellness, mental health status, and quality of life. The program aims to expand participation in each subsequent year by 1% of the regional veteran population, or 40 new participants.
