By Jaime Boris

Members of the military and their families are accustomed to dealing with highly stressful situations. Over the course of a career, they may face deployments, frequent moves, long training missions, financial distress or a lack of support and resources. After leaving service, they may struggle to reintegrate into a civilian society, which is unfamiliar with the challenges of a military career. Simultaneously, these same folks have lost direct daily contact with their respective military communities with whom they have bonded over their years of service.

To help alleviate some of this stress for those who serve, the American Red Cross offers free behavioral health programming to members of the military, veterans, retirees and their families. This group of services is referred to as resiliency programming. Red Cross facilitator-led workshops introduce practical, applied coping strategies supported by group interaction and discussion. Participants leave the workshops with tangible skills and stress-reduction techniques. Volunteer facilitators, who are independently licensed mental and behavioral health professionals with extra military-informed training, lead the sessions. Most importantly, all discussions within the groups are kept confidential.

Resiliency workshops are non-judgmental spaces. They are meant to meet participants wherever they are in their mental health journey. Program participants can explore their mental health without being overwhelmed by a deep dive into therapy. Workshops are often the first introduction participants have to interacting with a therapist. A positive experience in workshops can allow participants to feel more comfortable pursuing additional mental and behavioral health needs.

The Power of Compassionate Teams

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, thanks to the tireless efforts of Service to the Armed Forces and Resiliency Program Lead Mary Harper, we are fortunate to have a strong relationship with the Veterans Multiservice Center (VMC), located in Old City, Philadelphia. The VMC provides a haven for veterans in need – whether that is for VA services, housing assistance, financial assistance, job placement services, or just as a place to have a meal, relax, and chat with other vets. On the second Tuesday of every month, Mary and a volunteer facilitator bring programming on communication skills, stress management, mind-body techniques, dealing with trauma, and other key topics to the men and women at the VMC.

In addition, we can adapt our workshops to a virtual format for veterans groups, community organizations, employee resource groups, and others in the community- at-large. We have served organizations such as AmerisourceBergen, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Aramark and the YMCA with virtual resilience workshops.

To learn more about how to bring Resiliency programming to a specific audience, or if you are a mental health professional and would like more information about how to become a Resiliency Facilitator, please contact Jaime Boris at jaime.boris@redcross.org.