Resilience Grows Here
Resilience Grows Here
Resilience Grows Here (RGH) is a veteran-focused mental health initiative of the Farmington Valley Health District. The program engages veterans, their families, and members of the broader community in efforts to prevent suicide among veterans by reducing veterans’ isolation, destigmatizing mental illness, building resilience in boys and men, and creating safe spaces for veterans to connect with each other.
How They're Solving the Problem
How They're Solving the Problem
RGH offers a variety of programs for veterans and their families:
- A peer-to-peer mentoring program that trains veterans to provide support and friendship to other veterans.
- Suicide prevention training that teaches participants warning signs of suicide, how to ask someone about suicide, and how to persuade someone to get help.
- Anzac, the program’s post-traumatic stress disorder therapy dog, participates in RGH public events and is available to social workers, psychologists, and clergy members at the local military base.
- Partnerships with local schools to teach students about resilience through the exploration of topics such as friendship, boundaries, relationships, teamwork, communication, and asking for help.
- Safe space activities like community meals, resource nights, film screenings, and other events meant to provide a place where veterans and their family members can come together and get community support.
Impact
Impact
RGH has reduced veteran isolation, improved the community’s understanding of the needs and sacrifices of veterans and their families, helped destigmatize mental illness and promote good mental health, and provided access to programs and services that meet the needs of veterans and their families.
Partnering Organizations
Farmington Valley Health District
Institute of Community Research
103rd Airwing, East Granby
Nourish My Soul
Tunxis Community College
East Granby Middle and High School
Kokapeli Dog Training
Town of East Granby
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Check out this related podcast and video
Understanding men’s mental health and its importance
Photo Credit for All Photos: Justine Ginsberg