Mindfulness interventions for veterans: fostering healing through applied mindfulness techniques

Evaluating the significance of applied mindfulness interventions and techniques for veterans who have returned from active duty is an important undertaking. As more soldiers transition from combat related service and reintegrate into civilian life, the systems of care that they encounter require ongoing assessment. The Veterans Resource Centers of America (VRC) Northern California Region includes facilities in Eureka, Redding, Chico, Santa Rosa and Sacramento. They provide transitional housing and additional services to veterans. This project evaluates the significance of the applications of mindfulness techniques within these programs. Through the collection of online surveys completed by agency personnel along with publicly available agency policy, procedures and protocol, this program evaluation model measures the presence of mindfulness interventions within the agency. Results include recognition of mindfulness techniques utilized by the agency. Encouraged by management and supported by staff, personnel appear to value mindfulness activities and understand its usefulness to alleviate effects of trauma experienced by veterans. Supporting increased opportunities for personnel to creatively facilitate and implement these activities concludes the project.