Whole Health
Whole Health
Transforming health and wellbeing
in the military community
Transforming health and wellbeing
in the military community
Transforming health and wellbeing
in the military community
Transforming health and wellbeing
in the military community
A person’s health is more than just physical. It encompasses mental, emotional, social and spiritual dimensions as well as the relationships between individuals and their community. That’s why the American Red Cross is embracing a whole health model to care for and comfort members of the nation’s military, veterans, their families and caregivers. With whole health, it’s not about what’s wrong with you, it’s about doing what’s important to you.
Whole health considers many dimensions of a person’s health, not just their professional clinical care. Opportunities like career enhancement programs for military dependents or finding community through volunteering can improve the financial and mental health of an individual, boosting their overall health outcomes. By including other elements of health that are not always included in the traditional health care model, the Red Cross encourages service members, veterans, their caregivers, their families and survivors to realize their full potential.
The Red Cross aims to improve the health and wellness of people in the military community through whole health programs, including behavioral health and wellness workshops, hospital, clinic and peer support programs and the provision of care, comfort and therapy items.
After another permanent change of station forced military spouse, Natasha Stevens-Cintron to resign from her job, the American Red Cross helped her find her next opportunity with the free dental assistant training program at the Allen Dental Clinic. Our career enhancement programs provide Natasha and hundreds of those military dependents the education and skills needed to secure a G.S. role at dental clinics at their next military installation, or pursue a position with a private dental practice.
In military hospitals and treatment facilities, trained medical professionals and passionate individuals alleviate overburdened medical staff and bring joy to patients around the world.
Certified doctors and licensed nurses volunteer doing administrative tasks so hospital personnel can focus on the patients who need help the most.
Non-medical volunteers ensure patients know they are never forgotten, from wheeling a Red Cross coffee, snack or book cart through the halls and leading art and garden therapy classes at the hospitals; to writing and distributing cards on important observances to providing comfort, care and therapy items.
Read about the joy Georgie and our animal visitation teams bring patients at Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Hospital in Spokane, Washington.
The Red Cross hosts a variety of free behavioral health workshops both in person and virtually, designed to teach military families skills to help them manage stress and challenges. Workshops are led by current and former mental health professionals and include topics relating to psychological first aid, mind-body, and reconnection.
With constant relocation, military dependents often experience additional challenges in the job market. That’s why the Red Cross partners with the Defense Health Agency to provide professional training programs on military installations in the U.S. and overseas. These free programs are a mix of classroom instruction and hands-on training, giving learners the professional skills needed to successfully secure work as a pharmacy tech, medical or dental assistant. Find your local Red Cross to learn about any career enhancement programs offered at your military base.
Marlee Mann is a military spouse who leveled up her career with the American Red Cross Dental Assistant program. Read how Marlee Mann went from teaching English in South Korea to securing a Government Schedule position as a dental assistant with the DoD to even mentoring aspiring dental assistants in the program a few years later.
Volunteering is an outlet to a healthier life, helping keep you active, connected to the community and providing a new sense of purpose. The Red Cross depends on volunteers to help meet the needs of military and veteran communities across the globe. You can support a variety of mission activities including distributing care packages, signing up to be a workshop facilitator, welcoming and briefing new military families at Military Entrance Processing Stations, meeting with new military family members to share deployment education information, and more.
“The HOW showed itself one day when my therapist/ mentor (who also volunteers for the Red Cross) told me about volunteering...[they] showed me I could still be of service, something I had forgotten for 20 years.”
“Their goal is to provide comfort and happiness to someone’s day,” says Richard Felix, Red Cross Regional Program Manager, Service to the Armed Forces. “Whether they are comforting high stressed travelers at the airport or providing a gentle interaction with a Veteran at the clinic, the Brusseau’s and their therapy dogs provide an exceptional service to our community.”
“I love helping people. It’s what drew me to the field,” Robin shares. “When a crisis happens, the puzzle pieces fly everywhere. Coming alongside someone and helping them navigate the way back to putting that puzzle together is what I love to do.”
The American Red Cross supports veterans, families, caregivers and survivors through a collaborative partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Working in Veteran Integrated Service Networks, V.A. Medical Centers, Community Living Centers, and Veterans Homes across the country, medical and nonmedical volunteers offer support and assistance to our nation’s heroes.
Deanna Willoughby volunteers at her local VA hospital least once a week. The 11-year Marine Corps veteran feels drawn to continue her service: “I feel we owe a lot to our veterans, especially our wartime veterans. I think we need to give back to them and this is a small thing I can do.”
Local Red Cross offices develop and maintain relationships with key community partners and veterans service organizations to help respond to emergencies and the unique needs of the veteran population. Services range from responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, jobs, mental health), information on veterans' cemeteries and burial benefits, and other resources that meet the unique needs of local veterans and their families. All services are free and confidential.
Veterans and their families often rely on the Red Cross to help them identify their needs and connect to appropriate resources, through accessing our Hero Care Resource Directory or by calling the Hero Care Center (877-272-7337) to speak with a compassionate specialist.
The Red Cross collaborates with the V.A. to support veterans facing homelessness by taking part in Veteran Stand Down events. Stand downs are hyperlocal events that connect homeless veterans or those at-risk of homelessness with essential supplies and services.
Caregivers from all eras and services are invited to join and exchange experience, empathy, education and encouragement.
The Red Cross proudly offers comprehensive and tailored support to the entire military community overseas.
Skill-based, research-backed workshops for the whole family.
Your gift will help ensure that those who serve our country have our unwavering support.
Access vital emergency and non-emergency resources for military members, veterans and military families.
Contact your local Red Cross chapter to see what services are available in your area.