VA Western New York Health Care System committed to Veterans whole-health through connectivity and community
The VA Western New York Healthcare System (VAWNYHS) Whole Health Clinic and Recreation Therapy program focuses on improving the quality of life for Veterans by incorporating individualized interventions to promote and reinforce healthy leisure lifestyle.
Having a sense of connection and community can go a long way in supporting our whole health and well-being. Feeing alone can sometimes make us get sick or keep us feeling ill. Positive social relationships are healthy, and they can be a source of strength and positivity in our lives. Relationships can affect our emotional, mental, and physical health, and well-being. Connections to family, friends, community, and even animals can reduce stress and improve our physical and emotional well-being.
There are a variety of ways you can connect more with your community and others around you. Options include volunteering for a local organization, joining a community-based support group, taking up a new hobby, or taking continuing educational classes at the local recreation center. Often these activities can help us to connect to ourselves first and then create or strengthen our social connections with family, groups, and communities. At the same time, strengthening our social connections (that sense of belonging to a group or feeling close to others) can also help us connect more to ourselves.
“Far too often, Veterans struggling with their mental health feel alone and fear that no would understand what they are going through, which is unfortunate because mental health struggles are pervasive today and suffering is one of the things that connect us all,” said Dr. Matthew Abrams, VAWNYHS Whole Health Clinical Director. “Whole Health recognizes Relationships as one of the key eight dimensions in the Circle of Health. By encouraging connectivity with family, friends, and co-workers, we can help Veterans feel supported and understood, which is especially vital during a mental health crisis.
Centering on Veteran strengths diminishes the focus from disability to ability, increasing function and independence, promoting wellness and prevention, and restoring quality of life. Whole Health intervention program’s goal is to improve quality of life. Functional outcomes of therapy and activities are measurable and important for an evidence-based approach to care.
Recreation Therapy and Whole Health staff at VAWNYHS collaborate with Community Living Centers, Inpatient Behavioral Health, Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Recovery Center, Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Recovery Program, Telehealth settings, and Outpatient programming to provide Veterans with a comprehensive approach to whole-health.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, Veterans can call the main appointment number at 866-884-8567.