In over 20 years of continuous combat operations since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the United States Armed Forces have deployed more than 2.77 million service members to the operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other conflict zones. More than a third of those experienced multiple deployments: over 400,000 deployed more than three times, and over 37,000 more than five times. Some 5,448 were killed in action and 53,283 were physically wounded. Several times that number suffered ... Read More
In over 20 years of continuous combat operations since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the United States Armed Forces have deployed more than 2.77 million service members to the operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and other conflict zones. More than a third of those experienced multiple deployments: over 400,000 deployed more than three times, and over 37,000 more than five times. Some 5,448 were killed in action and 53,283 were physically wounded. Several times that number suffered the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, and the spiritual and psychic trauma of combat. On their return, many found themselves unable to relate to their families, friends, and usual support structures – leading to a serious erosion of their physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and relational health (PMSER). Their families, health, professional relationships, and their faith in the support systems intended to help them, broke down.
While most Veterans of the past two decades of war have successfully transitioned back to civilian life – either on their own or with some support – many have not. Consequently, in the last 10 years, over 73,000 Veterans have taken their own lives; enough Veterans to fill the New Orleans Superdome – more than all the combat and non-combat deaths incurred by the US Armed Forces from the beginning of the Vietnam War to the present. This tragic number increases by roughly 22 Veterans every day.
As a nation, we are confronted with an urgent need and a moral responsibility to restore and replenish the lives of Veterans who have selflessly served and experienced trauma over the last 20 years of war. While the situation may seem unrecoverable, most Vets with our help can return to their communities as healthy future leaders. These former warriors are untapped national treasures who should be re-mobilized to benefit every sector of America. They are why the National Center for Healthy Veterans exists.
The National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV) at Valor Farm is devoted to helping Veterans navigate the challenges of trauma and transition to achieve their full potential and contribute to every facet of American society. Our mission of Returning Healthy Veterans to America requires restoring Veterans’ physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and relational (PMSER) wellness as well as improving basic life skills such as financial management, resilience, marriage, and family wellness, and professional purpose and competence. The key elements to achieve our mission are community living (to defeat the isolation that contributes to suicide), dignified work (to provide purpose), trauma recovery and life skills programs (to achieve life balance and emotional regulation), and technical training (to ensure best career selection and progression). Desired tangible outcomes include lives saved and transformed, self-worth restored, marriages renewed, families strengthened, Veteran homelessness reduced, resiliency internalized, occupational skills acquired, education advanced, and Veterans employed. We believe strong healthy Veterans are key to a strong America.
The National Challenge - Over nearly two decades of post-9/11 conflicts, Americans have come to recognize the depth of commitment demonstrated by their servicemembers and to appreciate the sacrifices they make in defending our way of life. Americans have also become aware of the toll borne by many service members and its lingering effects in broken marriages, broken families, and broken lives. Chief among the cost is the staggering number of Veteran suicides – a problem that persists despite federal funding, federal policy initiatives, and the establishment of numerous preventive measures.
22 suicides per day is equivalent to approximately one suicide every 65 minutes. Considering the rising number of public suicides at Veterans Affairs medical facilities as well as the isolation caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, outside research suggests that suicide rates amongst the Veteran population have increased exponentially. The untreated, often hidden, wounds of war are festering and will not heal on their own.
Tragically, suicide is a permanent decision in response to an often-temporary problem. Our nation’s Veterans deserve a disciplined, intentional, and holistic approach to healing. Regrettably, we did not respond to this need after the Vietnam War, and many of our Vietnam Veterans are still suffering in silence, living under bridges, or have taken their own lives. Now is the time to help a new generation of America’s warriors and uniformed servants heal.
A Comprehensive, Holistic, Faith-Based Approach Mission and Vision –
The Mission of the National Center for Healthy Veterans (NCHV) is to Return Healthy Veterans to America. Our vision is to Reshape the Nature of Veterans Care in America. Our methodology is to achieve enduring, transformative impact on individual Veterans through community, dignified work and advancement opportunities, faith-based trauma recovery and life skills programs, and a natural healing environment. We believe that our nation’s Veterans are untapped national treasures who can make valuable contributions as role models, business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, and positive influencers in every sector of American society and we intend to help each Veteran achieve their full, God-given potential for the benefit of themselves and America.
History of The National Center for Healthy Veterans –
The Stone Ridge Foundation, a 501.c.(3) charitable organization, was formed in 2019 with the purpose of creating a comprehensive program to implement best-practices to reshape Veteran mental health care in America. We brought together a highly talented, passionate, and diverse Board of Directors, and with much consideration searched for the right location and facility to establish the National Center for Healthy Veterans. The property was identified in January 2020, and despite COVID delays, we were able to close on a farm in Altavista, Virginia – now known as “Valor Farm” – on September 15, 2020. The property dedication on November 11, 2020 was officiated by LTC(Retired) Oliver North and attended by a large gathering of local officials, community supporters, and honored Veterans. Similarly, the one-year anniversary gathering on November 11, 2021 was keynoted by Dr. Ben and Candy Carson in recognition of NCHV’s amazing progress and assistance to Veterans in our first year.
Valor Farm –
Situated along a mile of riverfront on a bend of the Big Otter River in Altavista, Virginia, Valor Farm comprises 339 acres of farm and timberland. The property includes an equestrian center with 21 stalls, a large indoor riding arena, paddocks for equestrian training, grazing areas for livestock, and pastures ideally suited for farming operations. Valor Farm also has scenic views and favorable terrain for the construction of multiple tiny home villages for Veterans. Situated in patriotic and supportive Campbell County, and located a short distance from Liberty University, Central Virginia Community College, Virginia Technical Institute, and other supportive institutions; Valor Farm is the ideal natural healing setting to accommodate the mission of NCHV.
Our Methodology –
Our comprehensive program to accomplish the vision of the NCHV is a unique integration of best-practice programs in a pastoral setting. It includes
• community living in tiny home villages to defeat isolation,
• dignified work to provide purpose,
• faith-based trauma recovery and life skills programs to get “unstuck” from trauma and transition challenges, and
• intentional vocational training and career preparation to help residents (who we refer to as Patriots) achieve their full potential.
Our target population is at-risk Veterans and their families who need help navigating trauma of various forms or who need assistance in their transition from military to civilian life. These Veterans are referred to us by public and private sector entities. The population does not include Veterans requiring inpatient clinical care or addiction recovery. We collaborate with many other Veteran assistance organizations to achieve our life transformation outcomes and refer Veterans who are not best suited to our program to other, more suitable programs.
The government has considerable resources, but the people closest to the Veterans know who they are, where they are and what they need. Our approach considers that every veteran in the country has someone who uniquely cares about them. It also takes advantage of talent and resources that reside in communities, campuses, corporations, and churches closest to the Veterans in need. In essence, a truly effective Veteran care program must harness the power of the private sector. The National Center for Healthy Veterans is a unique solution to provide holistic Veteran Care while also serving as a national prototype that bridges from VA coverage and effectiveness to the broader capabilities of the private sector.
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