Whole Health Pathways: A Program to Empower Veterans

“I’ve felt like a proud mom. When I hear the things that Veterans and our staff are doing, it just clicks the difference that we are making,” said Anistie Menes, section chief for whole health pathway.

Whole Health Pathways is one of several different sections within VA’s Whole Health service. The Whole Health service is VA’s holistic approach to support the health and well-being of the Veterans. The focus of the service, and pathways, is empowering and equipping Veterans to take charge of their health.

“The goal of whole health pathways is to educate Veterans on what whole health has to offer, what the whole health philosophy is, and walk alongside them with one-on-one and group health coaching,” said Menes.

In Menes’ experience, some Veterans have difficulty transitioning from their time in the service back into civilian life. Part of the whole health coaching allows Veterans to talk with a coach, many who are Veterans themselves, about their health journey.

“Most Veterans, whenever they're in the military or just coming out, they've been told for years what their mission is, what their purpose is, and why they exist. And then when they get out, they do not have that clear focus of where to go next,” said Menes.

Working with Veterans with different experiences and backgrounds from Vietnam to the War on Terror is part of the challenge for whole health coaches. Jackie Young, a whole health and wellness coach at TVHS, draws on her passion for Veterans to address their health challenges.

“Everybody is at a different point in their life,” said Young, who has been a health and wellness coach for more than three years. “[As coaches], we empower Veterans and equip them to do the things they need to do to be a better version of themselves.”

Unlike a clinical interview, the first meeting with a whole health coach is viewed more as a conversation between the coach and the Veteran. In Young’s experience, she introduces herself to break the ice and provides her background to develop that initial connection. The coach and the Veteran fill out a Person Health Inventory (PHI), which provides feedback on where a Veteran currently is with their life along with where they want to see themselves being better.

“The Person Health Inventory allows us to see what matters to the Veteran. Not what matters to everyone else, but what matters to the Veteran as a person. It helps break the ice, open things up, and sets everything on the table so we can begin to figure out their journey,” said Young.

For a few Veterans, filling out the PHI can be an eye-opener.

“Some Veterans do not realize exactly where they're at in life until somebody asks them and is very specific,” said Young. “Then they get to thinking about it and have their ‘AHA’ moment of wow.”

One benefit of the classes and groups is that Veterans can “buddy check” each other during their whole health journey.

“The classes have been very helpful for some Veterans to break out of their shell and start talking and meeting other like-minded individuals,” said Young. “These groups help provide cohesion and morale building, especially within the Tai Chi and the men's Vietnam Veteran group.”

The whole health process for a Veteran is an ongoing progression between the coach and the Veteran as they evaluate their journey and future health goals.

“To me, it is a continual working process with Veterans. I see the success and what they're doing and where they're going, and as they are evolving into that better person – a better version of themselves. And as they do, they're going to just keep growing as a person too,” said Young.

For Veterans interested in the Whole Health Pathways program, please visit Whole Health | VA Tennessee Valley Health Care | Veterans Affairs.