{"id":71766,"date":"2024-09-09T19:37:04","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T19:37:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/native\/uncategorized\/healing-warriors-and-their-families\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T16:02:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T16:02:48","slug":"healing-warriors-and-their-families","status":"publish","type":"native","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/native\/operation-warrior-resolution\/healing-warriors-and-their-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Healing Warriors and Their Families"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Results from the 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report show that 6,392 veterans died as a result of suicide. The same report showed that veteran suicide is the second-leading cause of death for veterans under 45-years-old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the month of September, it\u2019s crucial to raise awareness to end the tragedy of veteran suicide through National Suicide Awareness Month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veteran Non-profit and 501c3, Operation Warrior Resolution (OWR), helps veterans get the healing they need from PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Rather than following a traditional medical approach, they\u2019re offering innovative and holistic healing options with promising results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to OWR\u2019s Founder and CEO, Kendra Simpkins Walsh, who is a U.S. Army Veteran, the work they are doing with their programs is making a major difference for the veterans involved. This includes a specialized treatment that utilizes neuroplasticy to resolve trauma and optimize the brain\u2019s functioning, called brain based healing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe results of our data are showing that our programs and treatments to resolve PTSD are remarkably successful,\u201d Kendra said. \u201cVeterans have a significant reduction in symptoms of trauma and depression, and on average, have a 80% improvement rate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe serve hundreds of veterans, spouses and children every year, with our unique programs consistently standing in the top 10% of mental health programs nationwide,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Air Force veteran John Marr says that brain based healing had a major impact on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter struggling with \u201crevolving door\u201d programs that left me with more questions than answers, I found myself in a place so dark that I couldn\u2019t see any way out,\u201d John said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marr says he survived that darkness, but guilt and depression still consumed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI began searching for a new approach where I discovered OWR and brain based healing. When I learned they also provide help for my family, I knew that was the path I needed to take.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OWR not only provides services to the family members of veterans, but also provides a holistic approach to address challenges on a physical, emotional, social, and spiritual level. In addition to brain based healing, OWR provides a wide range of services that includes equine therapy, chiropractic and chronic pain management, nutrition coaching, ice baths for inflammation, healing retreats for veterans and their spouses, and trauma-informed yoga to assist with overall health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kendra coined a new term for trauma-informed yoga, Combat Conscious Yoga, because she felt that veterans would be more receptive to it. Classes are focused on helping veterans resolve military-and transitioning-related challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About three years ago, Navy veteran Dan Bue began attending Combat Conscious Yoga after learning about the program from a local news story that advertised free yoga for veterans and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI knew yoga was good for me and it made me feel good, so I made the decision to check it out,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After Dan attended another one of OWR\u2019s programs, the veterans retreat in 2022, his wife Jen noticed a difference in him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t see any change in him until after he went to the retreat. He came home with a different attitude and perspective,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was an opportunity for him to do something to benefit himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that retreat, Dan and Jen began volunteering at more of OWR\u2019s retreats and events, and not long after, he was asked to teach Combat Conscious Yoga for OWR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a situation of being in the right place at the right time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s been a year and a half since Dan began teaching yoga. He currently teaches three days a week for OWR and has expanded to teaching both veterans and civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dan regularly gets positive feedback from participants of his classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s humbling,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople tell me they love the structure of it, that it\u2019s a gentle yet powerful yoga class.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though he said it took a little prodding to get him to teach in the beginning, Dan is thankful that yoga has become such a big part of his life\u2014and he enjoys the opportunity to provide this service to veterans in their healing journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Dan, John is thankful for OWR\u2019s combination of mind, body, and spirit approaches through brain based healing and the other veterans programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt provided the elements previous approaches failed to encompass for me,\u201d he said. \u201cOperation Warrior Resolution gave me a new lease on life, one with a bright future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To donate, or get involved in helping to end veteran suicide through OWR\u2019s promising brain based healing or other programs, go www.OperationWarriorResolution.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n