Kindbridge Behavioral Health is honored to offer U.S. veterans in Colorado with access to support groups that empower servicemen and servicewomen through improved mental health and wellness. These FREE group sessions occur in a safe, welcoming, convenient, and effective online environment. There are three dedicated groups, each focusing on a different form of behavioral health condition and corresponding recovery program. Read below for more information, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Colorado residents: The following Kindbridge Behavioral Health support groups are FREE to veteran residents of Colorado.
Group 1: Veterans’ Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Group
When: Every Thursday at 7 PM Mountain Time
Duration: 1-hour 15-minutes
Cost: FREE to Colorado resident veterans
The prevalence of stress and anxiety disorders among veterans is a matter of significant concern. Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder, are the most prevalent mental health conditions among military veterans. It is estimated that up to 40% of veterans from recent conflicts have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (Fulton et al., 2015, p. 161)1. This underscores a pressing need for effective interventions that can help veterans manage their stress and enhance their overall mental well-being.
The Veterans’ Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Group was established to address this need, providing a platform for veterans to learn and practice mindfulness techniques that have been empirically shown to reduce stress and improve mental health (Kearney et al., 2013)2. The primary aim of this group is to equip veterans with practical, self-directed tools that can help them manage stress, anxiety, and depression in their day-to-day lives.
Participation in the Veterans’ Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Group provides several benefits. By engaging in regular mindfulness practice, veterans can learn to better manage their symptoms, reduce their stress levels, and improve their overall mental well-being. Additionally, the group offers a supportive community where veterans can share their experiences and learn from each other, further enhancing the therapeutic benefits of mindfulness practice. Ultimately, involvement in this group can lead to improved mental health outcomes and a greater sense of peace and well-being.
Description:
This group aims to help veterans develop skills and strategies to cope with stress and anxiety through mindfulness practices. Participants will learn various mindfulness techniques, meditation, and breathing exercises that can improve mental well-being and enhance daily life.
Relevant Group Topics:
- Understanding stress and anxiety triggers unique to veterans
- Mindfulness and meditation techniques for stress reduction
- The role of physical activity and exercise in mental health
- Developing a daily mindfulness practice
- Incorporating mindfulness into everyday activities and routines
Footnotes
- Fulton, J. J., Calhoun, P. S., Wagner, H. R., Schry, A. R., Hair, L. P., Feeling, N., Elbogen, E., & Beckham, J. C. (2015). The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Veterans: A meta-analysis. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 31, 98-107. ↩
- Kearney, D. J., McDermott, K., Malte, C., Martinez, M., & Simpson, T. L. (2013). Association of participation in a mindfulness program with measures of PTSD, depression and quality of life in a veteran sample. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 14-27. ↩
Group 2: Veterans’ Peer Connection and Social Engagement Group
When: Every Wednesday at 12 PM (noon) Mountain Time
Duration: 1-hour 15-minutes
Cost: FREE to Colorado resident veterans
Social isolation and loneliness are significant issues among veterans, with studies suggesting that veterans are up to 70% more likely to experience loneliness than their civilian counterparts (Ong, Uchino, & Wethington, 2016)3. The Veterans’ Peer Connection and Social Engagement Group provides a venue for veterans to foster connections, enhance social skills, and engage more fully in their communities. Attendance can lead to decreased feelings of loneliness, increased social support, and a stronger sense of belonging and community engagement.
Description:
This group aims to foster a supportive community where veterans can form meaningful connections and engage socially. Recognizing the potential isolation after military service, the group focuses on enhancing social skills, providing opportunities for social interaction, and exploring ways to get involved in the wider community.
Relevant Group Topics:
- Exploring and addressing the impacts of social isolation and loneliness, common among veterans.
- Enhancing social skills and fostering meaningful interpersonal relationships, including peer-to-peer connections.
- Identifying and engaging with community resources, activities, and volunteering opportunities to enhance social engagement.
- Sharing personal stories and experiences to foster a sense of shared identity and mutual understanding.
Footnotes
- Sayer, N. A., Friedemann-Sanchez, G., Spoont, M., Murdoch, M., Parker, L. E., Chiros, C., & Rosenheck, R. (2010). A qualitative study of determinants of PTSD treatment initiation in veterans. Psychiatry, 73(3), 238-255.
- Seal, K. H., Metzler, T. J., Gima, K. S., Bertenthal, D., Maguen, S., & Marmar, C. R. (2009). Trends and risk factors for mental health diagnoses among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans using Department of Veterans Affairs health care, 2002–2008. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22(5), 493-501.
- Ong, A. D., Uchino, B. N., & Wethington, E. (2016). Loneliness and health in older adults: A mini-review and synthesis. Gerontology, 62(4), 443-449.
Group 3: Veterans’ Gambling Recovery Support Group
When: Every Monday at 5 PM Mountain Time
Duration: 1-hour 15-minutes
Cost: FREE to Colorado resident veterans
Gambling disorders represent a significant issue among veterans, with research suggesting that veterans may be twice as likely to be problem gamblers compared to the general population (Westermeyer et al., 2013)1. This is often related to factors such as PTSD, depression, and the use of gambling as a means of coping with the stress and trauma associated with military service (Kausch, 2003)2.
The Veterans’ Gambling Recovery Support Group provides an important resource for veterans struggling with gambling issues. By participating in this group, veterans can benefit from shared experiences, learn practical strategies for managing their gambling, and develop a supportive network to aid in their recovery. Involvement in this group can lead to improved financial management, better mental health, and stronger relationships.
Description:
The Veterans’ Gambling Recovery Support Group is a peer-facilitated intervention designed specifically for veterans who struggle with gambling issues. The group aims to provide a safe and confidential space where veterans can discuss their experiences, explore the impact of gambling on their lives, and develop strategies for managing and overcoming their gambling habits.
Relevant Group Topics:
- Understanding Gambling and Its Impact: Discussion on the nature of gambling, including types of gambling activities, and the impact of gambling on individuals, families, and communities.
- Veterans and Gambling: Exploring the specific links between military service, stress, PTSD, and the propensity for gambling, including the ways in which gambling may be used as a coping mechanism.
- Recognizing Problem Gambling: Identifying the signs and symptoms of problem gambling, including financial, emotional, and social consequences.
- Strategies for Recovery: Sharing and learning about strategies for managing urges to gamble, handling financial issues related to gambling, and rebuilding relationships affected by gambling.
- Building Resilience and Preventing Relapse: Developing skills for coping with stress and triggers for gambling, enhancing personal resilience, and strategies for preventing relapse.
Footnotes
Westermeyer, J., Canive, J., Garrard, J., Thuras, P., & Thompson, J. (2013). Lifetime prevalence of pathological gambling among American Indian and Hispanic American veterans. The American Journal of Public Health, 103(5), 814-820.
Kausch, O. (2003). Suicide attempts among veterans seeking treatment for pathological gambling. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 64(9), 1031-1038.
The pathway to recovery is one click or call away. Kindbridge care coordinators are ready to connect you to the next available veteran group support session. CALL +1 (877) 426-4258 to join or ask any questions you may have OR simply click the banner below.
FREE for Colorado Veterans
