How vets help vets conquer the after-war
July 11, 2014
Eagle’s Healing Nest is a nonprofit transitional residence for male former service members with mental health challenges, located in central Minnesota. A major component of the program at “The Nest” is peer support among veterans, drawing on the tradition of mutual trust that soldiers sometimes share on the battlefield. Across the country, nonprofit programs have emerged to help veterans with psychological recovery, often incorporating peer support. The resident veterans at The Nest help with cooking, cleaning, and other basic maintenance tasks, and participate at will in a “vets for vets” support group, classes, substance abuse meetings, and visits from health and wellness care providers. There is no limit to the length of a resident’s stay. “The one thing that really matters,” says Melony Butler, founder of the program, “is for them to learn to feel again.” She hopes to expand the program to include more residents, with dedicated space for women veterans as well.
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