Veterans Helping Veterans

Fewer than one percent of Americans are now in the military compared to nine percent during World War II. Help Heal Veterans works to change that misconception training and hiring veterans to help with craft therapy.

“I love working at Help Heal Veterans (Heal Vets) I get to give back to the veterans and the community, as a veteran I can relate to many of the issues veterans cope with daily.” Says veteran Nick Nelms.

For Nelms serving his country was inevitable with seven generations of military in his family. Originally from Florida Nelms served in the Marines. “I joined the forces as I saw and admired the camaraderie between the troops. and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Heal Vets provides craft therapy to help veterans communicate traumatic memories and relieve stress. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), craft therapy is proving to be a very effective in also treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since its inception, Heal Vets have delivered more than 31 million kits to veterans who are hospitalized and specific craft care specialist programs across the nation.

Nelms adds, “Fewer people are serving; therefore there are fewer family members and society in general who understand the needs of a veteran. This is why the work done by Heal Vets is priceless and much needed. I suffered from depression, I think you experience a lot even if you didn’t go overseas you still see and experience a lot of things that you can’t forget. Working with the veterans each day I get to hear their stories and their history, I learn about the courage they have shown to protect our freedom as a country."

According to VA, PTSD affects up to one-in-five from Iraq and Afghanistan and as many as one-in-three veterans from earlier conflicts.

“PTSD is still being studied, however, what we do know is that drugs, hospitalization are not the only options now available to veterans. Focusing attention on sensory perceptions and bodily sensations can help relieve stress and reduce trauma-related symptoms,” says Joe McClain, Captain USN (Retired), CEO of Help Heal Veterans.

Those who have served in the military very often return from war plagues with anxiety, depression combined often with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"Craft therapy is not a new concept is has been around for more than 100 years and we hope to be able to provide many more years of therapy to our nation's heroes." Adds McClain.

“Giving the therapeutic craft kits that we offer is very rewarding. I see how it helps them it takes the time and the pain away. The thoughts they have mentally and physically it shows that they are able to finish a project and have pride in that project and they as the veteran doing that is so beneficial for them they have a pride in themselves.” Says Nelms.

"We provide craft kits that will appeal to everyone from birdhouses to bracelets. Speaking of bracelets, I am wearing that my daughter gave to me. She took a trip to Washington DC many years ago and was given this bracelet in memory of a U.S. Marine who has been missing since 1968. So we are supposed to wear this bracelet until the troop is no longer missing and I have worn this for ten years now. This is the pride, camaraderie and, love shared by veterans past and present. HHV brings help and wonderful personalities and history together in one place."

McClain adds, “Through our studies and specialists, we have seen functional improvement and increased attention spans and motivation in veterans using craft therapy. HHV supports and works closely to support the VA’s efforts to offer veterans a healthy, fulfilled life after serving their country. The popularity of art therapy is on the rise as more and more people see the positive benefits.”