Healing Warriors Program uses BHS Grant Funding for Veteran Support and Suicide Prevention

A $25,000 grant was awarded to the Healing Warriors Program in 2019 to help support Larimer County veterans through a trauma recovery support program. The mission of the Healing Warriors Program is to interrupt the factors that lead to service member suicides. 

With the grant funding, the Healing Warriors Program was able to deliver care to 184 veterans through a trauma recovery support program designed to reduce Post-Traumatic Stress, a suicidal risk factor. 

After completing the support program, 86% of participants reported an improvement in anxiety levels, a key Post-Traumatic Stress indicator. The immediate impact to our community is with suicide prevention by lowering factors that contribute to veteran suicide.

Executive Director of Healing Warriors Program, Ana Yelen, reports that they have seen an increase in veterans experiencing anger, domestic violence, insomnia, and Post-Traumatic Stress over the last year.  She states that local VA clinics and veterans centers have also reported an increase in veterans at risk for suicide. 

The national suicide rate is 17.5 and the overall population suicide rate for Colorado is 26.1. Comparatively the suicide rate for Colorado veterans is 42.9 making Colorado one of the highest in the nation for veteran suicide loss of life - further emphasizing the value of support programming for veterans.  

Yelen says that through program offerings at Healing Warriors, veterans have been able to experience restoration, hope, and progress which makes a difference to individuals who have given our country so much.

The Healing Warriors Program cares for veterans of all eras: WWII, Korean Conflict, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan - as well as active duty servicemen and women. From its opening in July of 2013 through mid-2019.  The Healing Warriors Program clinic in Fort Collins has delivered over 15,000 sessions to veterans and their families.

The integrative care clinic offers non-narcotic treatment as a way to help address Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), and various types of chronic pain.

To learn more about Healing Warriors Program, visit: https://www.healingwarriorsprogram.org/
Need help? Veterans Crisis Line:  1-800-273-8255