Supporting Veterans in Mental Health Recovery

Recently, we sat down to speak with the team of social workers at the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) at Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka, Kansas.?

The Topeka LEC is a Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) offering intensive outpatient care for veterans with severe mental illness. This program supports recovery and community integration through diverse methods, helping veterans build skills and achieve personal wellness goals. It coordinates with other VA and community services to provide comprehensive support, designed to offer veterans social support, coping skills, and skill-based activities that promote community interdependence, guiding each individual on their path to recovery and reintegration.?

Supporting Veterans in Mental Health Recoverynbsp;

Heroes on the Water (HOW) Therapeutic Programs provides veterans and active-duty military in treatment the healing benefits of kayak fishing and the outdoors. The Topeka LEC’s partnership with HOW Topeka VA Therapeutic Program is an example of how combining recreational therapy with traditional behavioral health can help veterans achieve their best health by eliminating many barriers.

Katie Elkins, LMSW, LEC SW at the Topeka LEC, emphasizes, “We assist each veteran in their mental health recovery, helping them manage their symptoms and engage with the community. It’s about providing the tools they need to succeed.”

The LEC team’s work also extends to case management, individual psychotherapy, and family educational programs, all tailored to meet the specific needs of each veteran. The goal is to support veterans not just within the program but as they transition back into their communities.

Fostering Connection

The LEC views skill-based activities like rod building, kayaking, and fishing to be mindfulness-based practices. Through the HOW Topeka VA Therapeutic Program, these recreational therapies are brought to veterans. Program coordinators, often veterans or spouses of veterans themselves, bring a unique understanding of military culture to the table.?

“The rapport-building with HOW coordinators Jay, Jess, and other HOW volunteers is seamless because they share the same military background,” Katie notes. “This shared identity fosters a sense of community, respect, and trust, which is crucial for the veterans.”?

“It is our hope veterans in the program venture out on their own, create new friendships, and continue engaging in these activities. This is the goal of achieving community reintegration,” says Mario R. Lopez, LSCSW, LEC Program Manager.?

The Role of Learning Activities in Healing

This winter, the HOW Topeka VA Therapeutic Program hosted a weekly rod-building workshop to keep HOW participants engaged during the off-season.?

“This skill-based approach differs from traditional therapies in that it allows veterans to socialize with others, meet new friends, and increase self-esteem,” says Mario. “Like traditional therapy, these activities teach mindfulness, acceptance of all thoughts, and coping skills, which can be an effective treatment for distressing thoughts that often accompany post-traumatic stress.”?

“Veterans are learning new skills and practicing them outside the program. They’re expanding their comfort zones and immersing themselves in the community instead of isolating and suffering in silence,” says Katie.?

Katie points out how much veterans in the program enjoyed the rod-building workshop. “A lot got really invested in it. They even bought little tackle boxes to go with their rods. It was amazing how much they felt a sense of accomplishment.”?

One veteran participant shared how building a fishing rod became a way to connect with family: “It’s a new activity I never thought I’d enjoy, but now I’m out on the lake regularly.”?

For many veterans, engaging in such recreation therapy is a powerful way to stay active, offering an alternative to more traditional forms of psychotherapy.?

“What do you do to get outside your head?” asks Mario. “For some veterans, this hands-on work is more powerful than traditional psychotherapy.”?

The Benefit of Recurring Activities

The recurring nature of HOW programs provide significant benefits. Veterans have the opportunity to become proficient in skills like kayaking, fishing, and rod building, and forge meaningful friendships.?

“With repetition of anything comes mastery. The mastery perpetuates good feelings and increases self-esteem,” says Mario. “They usually end up teaching others within the group. This repetition allows them to recognize and correct mistakes, improving their craft and building confidence.”?

This method not only prevents feelings of being overwhelmed but also ensures that veterans remain engaged and invested in their recovery process.?

“It’s really great,” says Katie, “because instead of feeling overwhelmed, veterans work on smaller tasks across multiple Fridays.”?

Mario recalls one veteran, affectionately referred to as “Bill,” who initially doubted his ability to complete a fishing rod. “He did it, even though he didn’t think he could. He was so happy and had a real sense of accomplishment.”?

“There was a lot of pride. It was their rod, and they built it. Some even customized their rods to show support for their favorite football team,” says Mario.?

Adapting to Different Levels of Functioning

HOW programs are intentionally designed to adapt to individuals of all skill levels and abilities. HOW coordinators are equipped to provide assistance both on and off the water, offering support tailored to individual needs through auditory, visual, or hands-on interventions. This adaptability contributes to the program’s success.

Katie recalls, “When veterans struggled with sanding down the rod grips, the HOW coordinator introduced a drill to ease the process. This not only prevented injury but also taught veterans how to adapt and overcome challenges—a lesson that extends far beyond rod building.”?

The rod building program also helped veterans think outside the box. Katie notes how some veterans began coming up with their own adjustments and ideas for the next session.?

“They’d say, ‘Next time, I’m going to do this or that.’ It was great to see them thinking creatively.”?

Hands-On Healing vs. Traditional Therapy

This hands-on, activity-focused approach complements traditional psychotherapy by turning the lessons learned in therapy into tangible outcomes.?

“It’s about putting the words often spoken in psychotherapy into actions,” says Katie. “There were smiles from ear to ear as veterans completed their projects. The sense of achievement was shared, and the anticipation to test out their new creations on the lake was palpable.”?

“Like kids on Christmas morning,” Mario recalls. “They took care of those rods, made sure they stood them up while eating. They didn’t treat them like the old ones.”?

Katie observes, “The sense of accomplishment positively impacts their mental health and self-esteem. Completing a fishing rod shows them that the worst-case scenario they feared didn’t happen, reinforcing their resilience.”?

Mario says the program’s impact goes beyond the tangible. “For those with deep depression or post-traumatic stress, this is the ticket to get outside of that. It keeps your mind busy and focused on one thing. If your mind starts to wander, you go back to the task at hand, just like in deep breathing.”?

The residual impact of the program is clear. “They are in a safe place, and they can’t wait for the next event,” Mario says. “Veterans’ response has been excellent. It brought the group closer, including the relationship with HOW volunteers. Some veterans have talked about volunteering with HOW in the future.”?

Learn more about Heroes on the Water