Domiciliary Veterans and staff enjoy a therapeutic day at Pike Lake

The semi-annual outing provided Veterans in a residential rehabilitation program the opportunity to enjoy a cookout, outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, volleyball and bags, and socialize with fellow Veterans and staff in an informal setting.

“What we typically hear is just how appreciative Vets are of getting out and doing something different, seeing the therapeutic quality of being involved with things socially, being part of the community, doing things like this,” said Dr. Stephen Melka, one of the mental health residential rehabilitation treatment program managers at the domiciliary.

A large portion of the Veterans who come to the domiciliary for treatment are struggling with addiction. Melka, while not a Veteran himself, is able to build a unique connection with the residents as he, too, is in recovery. It was a big deal to him when he learned early on in his recovery that he could do things sober that he previously always associated with being under the influence.

“Realizing that you don’t have to live like that – sometimes the way that you see that is in simple things like going to the park and doing things outside socially and interacting with friends and all those things,” Melka said. “It’s a nice way to start realizing what recovery can look like.”

He encouraged Veterans who need help to seek treatment.

“It can be intimidating and seem like it’s a big step to check yourself in to treatment, but we have a whole crew of people here who are going to help you through that process and that transition,” Melka said. “You’ll be surrounded by peers who are in similar circumstances, who had a big, similar sort of leap of faith. People change their lives, and that’s the reason why we do this.”

One of those Veterans is Damien Hanuna.

Hanuna’s father pushed him to join the military when he was 17 due to his rebellious nature. He joined the Marine Corps as an aviation ordnanceman and arrived at his first duty station in August 2001. His unit deployed shortly after the 9/11 attacks, and he served four combat tours.

Hanuna was kicked out of the military after more than 11 years of service for using drugs. He was homeless for a year-and-a-half and began his journey to recovery in 2013.

“I’ve been through several programs since then, both for alcohol and drug use, and PTSD,” Hanuna said. “I had 18 months of sobriety the first time, and then four-and-a-half years of sobriety the second time, but it felt like something was missing. The thing is that being in the military and the way I was raised, I don’t know how to take care of myself.”

He said the treatment programs he went through before have helped him to recognize when he needs help, which is how he knew when to call the crisis line which led him to the Milwaukee VA’s domiciliary. He will complete his six week treatment program May 31.

“The people, the facilitators, all the staff, they really care about the individual, not only that you do well, but how you’re feeling.,” Hanuna said. “That was different for me. Every other place that I’ve been to, they’re not necessarily concerned with your feelings. They’re more concerned about how I think.”

His rehabilitation at the domiciliary also helped him address trauma he went through as a child.

“The people who were put in positions of authority, they were unsafe, they were violent, and all these things led me to believe that it’s okay to be these ways,” Hanuna said.

He learned a lot of skills through his treatment and said the one he uses the most is called the ‘stop skill.’ He stops, takes a step back, observes what emotion he is experiencing, and proceeds mindfully.

“The idea is to give myself a break whenever I feel some type of way,” he said. “As opposed to having to act immediately because my PTSD is telling me something is wrong, I get to realize that I’m in no imminent threat of bodily harm.

“My son was four-and-a-half when I came back from my last deployment, and I was responding to everything as if it were life and death. I was really verbal, just like outward and explosive. I’ve come a long way.”

Hanuna enjoyed playing volleyball and also relaxing during his day at Pike Lake.

“Being out here today is just like a break, because we have classes Monday through Friday, so this is a nice change of pace,” he said. “Not only that, but I get to come visit, see how beautiful it is outside near Milwaukee.”

Hanuna plans to relocate to the Milwaukee area following his treatment and hopes to work for the VA, potentially as a peer support specialist. He hopes that other Veterans who may be going through tough times are able to get help and persevere.

“Keep trying, cause it took me 11 years to figure out what was actually bothering me,” Hanuna said. “You’re worth it. Whoever is out there, whoever is struggling, you are loved, and you’re worth it. Please don’t give up.”