Going into combat or experiencing other traumatic incidents can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other issues. A series of classes, which start tomorrow, is targeted at those at risk—military veterans and first responders.
Kerry Miller, volunteer coordinator at CoxHealth, said Wellness for Warriors will use things like yoga and relationship building to help people learn to cope with the changes they’ve experienced.
"What this is gonna do is one--just bring them together as a community and then also just give them some tools to use to help them cope with life as they know it now," he said.
Meyer Fitness Center staff will teach Wellness for Warriors along with a licensed counselor.
Miller said the classes are designed to help address issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other stress and sleep disorders.
"We're gonna be practicing some yoga exercises but also some educational information, and these practices and exercises will be used to enhance the health of the body and the mind," he said.
According to Miller, participants will learn tools they can use as they adjust to life as they now know it.
Miller said classes like these, which bring together people who have similar struggles, can reduce the suicide rate.
"Whether they've been physically injured or mentally injured, this will give them hope, and anybody that commits suicide that's because they've lost hope," he said.
He hopes the classes will result in lasting relationships that will continue beyond the last class on June 25th.
"Hopefully this will lead to something, you know, that we can carry on not just for eight weeks, but, you know, these guys and gals can build relationships that will last a lifetime," he said.
There’s no charge to attend. Wellness for Warriors classes start tomorrow morning (5/14) at 10 at CoxHealth’s Meyer Center. To learn more, 269-3282.
