RETURNING VETERANS Project

Causes: Counseling, Mental Health, Mental Health Treatment, Military & Veterans Organizations, Veterans

Mission: Returning Veterans Project is a nonprofit organization comprised of community based independent health care practitioners who offer free and confidential services to Post 9/11 war zone veterans, service members and their families. Our volunteers include mental health professionals, acupuncturists, naturopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other complementary health care providers.

Results: 2014 Service Outcome Report Oregon/SW Washington Client Service Outcomes 2014: Across the State of Oregon and in SW Washington, 173 active pro bono providers in our network, collectively donated and delivered 4,387 hours of free confidential mental health services, acupuncture, massage, chiropractic and naturopathic care to: 360 Post 9/11 warzone veterans and active duty service members (294 males, 64 were females, 2 transgender veterans). Family members served included: 97 female, spouses/partners, children and parents and, 9 male spouses/partners and children. (This was an annual service hour increase of 500 hours.) Information/Referral Services: RVP staff responded to 219 information/referral requests from veterans (all eras), military family members, social service and military organizations. Resources were requested for services that included: mental health and addictions counseling, and veterans homeless/housing and employment programs; and more than in any previous year, was the number of veterans seeking free legal services related to assault charges, a DUI and/or child custody issues. Three who contacted us were family members seeking help for a suicidal veteran family member. We were able to provide resources and support for all three. Callers were primarily located in Oregon and Washington, but some who contacted us were from states as far away as Connecticut, Arkansas, Texas and New York. Continuing Education Trainings: We hosted continuing education trainings around the state that were attended by a total of 188 practitioners. Clinical training topics, dates and locations included: • “Caring for Iraq & Afghanistan War Veterans With a mild TBI,” September 2014, Portland • “Is Anybody Listening” based on Dr. Paula Caplan’s book, “When Johnny and Jane Come Marching Home”. February 2015 • “Building Hope with Veterans At-Risk for Suicide,” March 2015, Salem, OR (this county now has our state’s highest veteran suicide rate) • “Military Sexual Trauma Care for Veterans,” March 2015 2014, Portland, OR • Planning for our May 2015 training: “Combat PTSD: Healing Soul Wounds” based on the work of Dr. Edward Tick

Target demographics: Post 9/11 war zone veterans and their families.

Direct beneficiaries per year: 466 veterans and family members with 4,387 hours of free counseling and somatic services.

Geographic areas served: Oregon & SW Washington

Programs: Free confidential counseling and other healthcare services.