What's the Center about?
The Warrior Healing Center at 1838 Paseo San Luis in Sierra Vista
There are 168 hours in a week. These hours are where life happens. For veterans, the VA may work with them one or two, at a maximum perhaps four hours a week on average. This means that VA contact is at most 2% of a veteran’s life, and the average is likely much less. From a strategic perspective, if we are to address the problem of veteran suicide, we shouldn’t expect much success by focusing on the 2% share. That’s not to say those hours are unimportant, or that we can’t create positive effects within this space. But if we are to succeed, we must take the battle to the 98% space. What is that 98% space? This is community, where veterans live; their friends, family, battle buddies, coworkers, and neighbors are all here in the 98. This is our battlefield, and make no mistake, it is a battle. It is a fight for the lives of our veterans. We must use the skills we learned in the military combined with the latest scientific and technological knowledge to defend our veterans. In ten years, more veterans died by their own hands than all U.S. deaths in the entire Vietnam War. Anyone who thinks this isn’t a war for our veterans should think again, and as such, we must pick the right battlefield upon which to make our stand for these precious lives who stood for us. The battlefield is the veteran’s community, and while the 2% space is a base of operations, we win or lose the fight by the effects we create in the community through people, process, and technology. In that order.
WHC has been designated by the State of Arizona as the lead agency for the Southern Arizona Suicide Prevention Grant. The WHC concept is what the Centers for Disease Control calls a VSO Community Integration Model (VSOCIM) in Arizona that our team has created and operated for over 4 years. Our contribution to ending the veteran suicide problem includes some rather innovative twists—novel application of the latest psychology sciences plus an innovative “command-and-control” system—a VSOCIM+ that goes above and beyond. Recent scientific work from Johns Hopkins and practical experience at WHC demonstrate that something is missing in the VA’s veteran suicide prevention strategy. Both military and civilian physical medicine have demonstrated very well the concept of “first aid” or “combat lifesaver” physical assistance. But how well do we as a culture embrace the same concepts in the mental health realm? If we look carefully, we can see a gap emerge, one between two forms of first response to health needs. Civilian medicine has adopted psychological first aid (PFA) and the military uses combat stress teams to respond to needs in the field, yet we really don’t see PFA properly applied today with veterans. Certainly, the VA publishes a field guide for PFA, however it refers to PFA as “an evidence-informed modular approach to help children, adolescents, adults, and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster and terrorism.” This suggests an ad hoc employment of PFA is only called for in “the immediate aftermath” of episodic tragedy. But is PFA only good after hurricanes? Or car bombs? We contend that often preventable veteran suicide is a result of “Psychological Tsunamis”—life crises or a combination of current/legacy crises that together create stressors for the veteran that are on the same emotional or psychological level of a natural disaster for the average person—these conditions rage on vulnerable veterans in society today—in the 98% space. Therefore, we must address their suffering beginning with PFA and crisis intervention in the 98-space—which is measured by the veteran’s disposition. As we will show, modalities given in the 2% space will fail when crisis rules the 98% space. The problem of veteran suicide will continue to thrive without deliberate PFA and crisis intervention. Bottom line: “Psychological Tsunamis” crush our veterans daily wherever they live and are just as devastating as a real natural disaster—but veterans lack first aid for the resulting wounds because these disasters are largely invisible to, or misunderstood by, those around them because the psychological terrain is so different for veterans. Ignoring this is like ignoring an arterial bleed in physical medicine—a fatal choice.
Veterans often feel like they are still taking fire years after leaving the military. That's because they are. WHC provides options as well as a structure that offers unit support and cover similar to that of the military. Come tell us your story - we've got your back!
In addition to facilitating navigation to needed services for veterans, WHC strengthens the community by creating win-win solutions with organizations in the buildling and in our community. WHC is asking the community in Cochise County, that exists because of the military and our veterans, to give back to our veterans and their families in a new and exciting way: $22 a month, which is about the cost of a cup of coffee a week, is all we ask from our community members and businesses. Buy a cup of coffee a week for a veteran and be part of the vital support provided to our veterans at WHC. We'll be sure our clients understand who's supporting them in this community and they'll share with you their experiences at WHC when they come as patrons to your business!
What's 22 a Day?
VA statistics tell us that on average 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the USA. At the Warrior Healing Center we believe the crises that lead to suicide are often preventable, but the solutions are found in community relationships--not necessarily another government program. It takes people getting involved with their neighbors and taking responsibility for community well-being. That's why we created the Warrior Healing Center, a place that houses a team of veteran service operations and healing services under one roof with veteran families in mind.
We are a 501c3 organization, so your gift is tax-deductible, and it is easy to commit to monthly giving. We ask that you consider our $22 a Month to End 22 a Day challenge to keep the Warrior Healing Center fighting for veterans and bringing hope to those who have lost it. Please consider getting involved today!
The Warrior Healing Center is a project of the 501(c)3 organization Warrior Healing Project. WHP operates in Southern AZ, and accepts tax-exempt donations at 22toend22.com online. 100% of all donations go directly to supporting the Warrior Healing Center, which is staffed exclusively by volunteers.
You can find us at www.warriorhealingcenter.com
EIN: 84-4586158
WHAT DOES YOUR CONTRIBUTION PROVIDE VETERAN FAMILIES?
NO-COST SERVICE - COORDINATING ORGANIZATIONS AT WHC:
Employment Assistance – AMVETS | ARIZONA@WORK | CVMA
Resume Writing Assistance – AMVETS | ARIZONA@WORK
Use of Teleconferencing Center and Meeting Rooms – WHC
Internet, Computer and Printing Lab for Veterans – CLUG | WHC
Leadership Development Program – RWB
Linux Computer Operating System Classes – CLUG
Media Production and Training Services – RELN
Native American Flutes for Vets – FFV
Bagels & Brew: Coffee and War Stories – WHC
Crisis Intervention for Veterans and Family Members – CVMA | WHC | WW
Fully Assisted Hunting and other Outdoor Expeditions for Disabled Heroes – H3O
Healing with Art: Arts/Crafts Program – VAP
Post-Deployment Training Programs – AMVETS
Purple Heart Cruises for Combat Wounded Veterans and their Families – PHC
Resources for Female Veterans to Regain Self-Esteem, Trust, Honor & Dignity – WW
Scholarships for Veterans, Children and Grandchildren of Veterans – MCL | MOAA
Support Memorial Services to Honor Fallen Veterans – CVMA
Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) Support Groups – WHC
Transition from Active Duty to Civilian Life – Warrior Transition Workshops – AMVETS | MOAA
Veteran Organizational/Event Security – CVMA
Work with Schools and Other Organizations to Promote US History and the Quest for Freedom – MOPH
Assistance to Veterans with Overwhelming Medical Bills – CVMA
CRDP (Concurrent Retirement & Disability Pay) & CRSC (Combat-Related Special Compensation) Ambassador – MOAA
Donated Food Baskets for Active Duty Service Member Families in Need – CVMA
Emergency Financial Assistance – CVMA | VVA
Emergency Food Assistance – CVMA | MOPHA | VVA | WHC
Financial & Investment Planning – MOAA
Free Clothing Closet, Library and Shower Facility – WHC
Help with Veteran Administration Claims – AMVETS | MCL | VVA
Service Documentation Assistance from National Archives and Social Security – AMVETS | VVA
Short Term Rent Assistance to Needy Veteran Families – CVMA
Tax Preparation, Real Estate Assistance, Retirement Planning – AARP | AMVETS | MOAA
Veteran Administration Certified Veteran Service Officer Support – AMVETS | VVA
Veteran-Owned Business Collaboration and Support – WHC | JMD
Emergency Home Repair Assistance – WHC | VVA
Emergency Relocation Assistance – WHC
Anti-Gravity Massage Chair Relaxation – WHC
Emotional Freedom Technique Tap Therapy – GPV
Human-Horse Ground Experience – HR | HOOVES
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – GPV | ML | HERO PAWS
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Certified Programs – HOOVES
PTSD Support Group – ML | WHC
Service Dog Training Facility: Matching, Training and Supporting – HERO PAWS
Agent Orange Outreach Program – VVA
Elderly Care: Medical Equipment, Personal Hygiene Supplies, Nutritional Supplement, Housekeeping Errands, Education Services,
Local Service Referrals and Companionship Programs – ECM
QiGong Practice – TRHE
Sports/Fitness Community Social & Service Events (Yoga, Cycling, Hiking, Running, Bowling) – RWB
Team Cycling Program Emphasizing Participation for Veterans with Disabilities/Abilities of All Kinds – VVSV
Substance Abuse Referrals for Multiple Therapies and Modalities – WHC
Spiritual Counseling with On Site Ministerial Support – FFV | GPV | WHC
SOME OF OUR WHC TEAM ORGANIZATIONS:
AARP – American Association of Retired Persons
ACMF – Be Connected Program
AFACC – Air Force Association Cochise County 107
AMVETS – American Veterans, Post 89
AVVA – Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Chp 1093
ARIZONA@WORK
AVHOFS-CCC – Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society Cochise County Chapter
AZARNG – Arizona Army National Guard
CLUG – Cochise Linux User Group
CWV – Combat Wounded Veterans
CVMA – Combat Veterans Motorcycle Assn 32-4
CVMA – Combat Veterans Motorcycle Assn 32-4, Auxiliary
ECM – Elderly Care Matters
FPU – Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University
FFV – Flutes for Vets
GDC – Gratitude Drum Circle
GPV – Graceful Passages for Vets
H3O – Heroes Healing Heroes Outdoors
HGP – Holistic General Practice Medicine
HERO PAWS – Service dog training and provision
HOOVES – Horses Offering Our Vets Equine Services
JMD – Juniper Micron Deployment
MCL – Thunder Mountain Det 1283 Marine Corps League
MOAA – Military Officers Assn of America, Coronado Chapter
MOPHA – Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chp 572 Auxiliary
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
OTHV – Operation Toothbrush for Homeless Veterans
PHC – Purple Heart Cruise
PTSD Support Group
RELN – Rising Eagle Livestream Network
RWB – Team Red, White and Blue, Fort Huachuca/Sierra Vista
VAP – Veteran Arts Program – Healing with Art
VVA – Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1093
VVSV – VeloVets Sierra Vista
WACVA-AWU – Women’s Army Corps Veteran’s Association – Army Women United
WGLG – Wilson-Goodman Law Group, PLLC
WLP – Angelstorms Photography/Warrior Legacy Project
WW – Women Warriors
And more! Come check us out at 1838 Paseo San Luis, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Updated 7/14/2022
