Veterans Exploration Therapy

Background Statement

Since 2001, there have been over 125,000 veteran-related suicides in the United States compared to 65,542 combat-related deaths of U.S. service members reported since the Vietnam War (Vietnam, Gulf War, Somalia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom combined). Veterans are up to 56% more likely to commit suicide than the general population.

We are currently experiencing an epidemic of mental health issues plaguing our veteran community, and unfortunately, many turn to substance abuse to cope. Resources for these problems are limited or buried in bureaucracy. As a nonprofit organization, were ready to step up and fill the gaps in the community and support the veterans.

Veterans Exploration Therapy is an educational program that uses outdoor recreation as an opportunity to reach veterans and their families. Our goal is to teach various means of recreation and introduce new outdoor skills. We demonstrate that self-care is important and needs to be implemented into everyday life. We connect veterans and their families in the outdoors to create a mutually supportive community.

Our goal is to show veterans that there is a reason to keep pushing each day and create a community while doing so.