Veteran Crisis Line

Available 24/7:
Dial 988 then Press 1, chat live, or text 838255.

Supporting our service veterans and their families will always be a pillar of focus for Operation Recovery. 

We assist by offering support in various areas of community building, health & wellness, and connecting veterans to valuable resources after service.

Download our Health & Wellness Resource PDF

Pillar of Veteran Health and Wellness: Nurturing Resilience Through Connection

One of our core pillars—Veteran Health and Wellness- is at the heart of Operation Recovery’s mission. We firmly believe that the road to recovery extends beyond the battlefield, transcending physical injuries to emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Our commitment is to honor the courage and sacrifice of our veterans by supporting their holistic healing and seamless reintegration into civilian life. 

Surf-Fire-Event-March-11-2023-091

Our approach is rooted in the understanding that connectivity breeds resilience. We aim to foster a supportive community where veterans can navigate the unique challenges of their transition journey, sharing their experiences and learning from each other. This Veteran Health and Wellness pillar is built on the foundations of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect. 

A shining beacon of this initiative is the Surf Fire program. The program encapsulates our vision of wellness—encouraging physical activity, nurturing mental health, and building a strong community. We offer more than a day at the beach by introducing veterans and their families to the therapeutic joy of surfing, followed by a communal fire and meal. We provide an avenue for shared experiences, mutual support, and lasting connections.

Surf Fire is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of community-based wellness. As we continue to evolve and expand our health and wellness programs, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing an empowering space for our veterans. At Operation Recovery, we celebrate their strength, honor their sacrifice, and stand with them in their journey toward resilience and renewal.

Program Goals

Get veterans together and build camaraderie and community

Veteran participants of our events regularly comment that they “cannot remember the last time they…”… spent social time with other veterans, learned something new, felt connected with others, had so much fun, and also how they can’t wait to do it again. The most important factor contributing to veterans' physical and mental health is a sense of community and belonging. We know that being part of a supportive, veteran community helps you to feel connected, less isolated, and more empowered to make healthy choices. As a result, our focus on creating opportunities for a social gathering is based on research showing its positive impact on well-being.

Promote a “forward thinking” mindset

Social gatherings are a great way to get together with friends, exchange ideas, and make plans. Meetings can also be a powerful tool for growth and change. We are all about supporting veterans seeking new life directions after leaving the military. By creating a forum where veterans can meet and discuss their experiences, we help them create a new cycle of growth that leads to long-term change.

Linking veterans with opportunities after service

In conjunction with the last two goals, by creating a community of like-minded individuals and bringing together veteran-owned businesses and veterans, we seek to foster those connections and give purpose to our community social events.
 

The truth is, once their time in the service is over, too many Veterans struggle with the return to civilian life.  They suffer difficulty connecting to a community that lacks similar life experiences.  Their daily structure, comradery and support systems are not as easily accessible. They often find themselves isolated, adrift and unable to cope with day-to-day life alone.

Veterans are some of America’s greatest assets. They bravely put their lives on the line to protect our country, often at great personal expense.  Veterans have earned the respect and admiration of all Americans. 

Operation Recovery’s veteran initiative goal is to create a veteran community and resource point whose mission is to improve our hero veterans’ health, wellness, and social and emotional well-being. That goal includes creating a warm, welcoming, and safe community where veterans can connect, build camaraderie, and dialogue, share experiences, offer support and encouragement, and contribute to meaningful change. Operation Recovery seeks to enhance awareness around veterans’ issues such as mental health challenges, physical health challenges, and substance use disorders.

Support our Veterans - Donate Today

Resources For Veterans

Online Trainings/Courses**

Afghan-Evac-Resilience-Online-Trainings-1Download

Apps1 ** 

  • Sanvello  
  • Breethe
    • Available for Apple; free, with the option to upgrade via subscription 
  • PTSD Coach
    • Available for Apple and Android, with additional resources online; free 
  • MoodMission 
    • Available for Apple and Android; $4.99 or $7.99 subscription 
  • Headspace
    • Available for Apple and Android; $12.99/month or $69.99/year 
  • Calm
    • Available for Apple, Android, and desktop; free to download with some free content 

 1 Please be aware that each app has different policies regarding the storage and use of your personal data.  

AE-Resilience-AppsDownload

Books**

1 This is a foundational work in the field of resiliency, and has been recommended by multiple #AfghanEvac members! 

AE-Resilience-BooksDownload

AE Resilience Resources: Hotlines and Chats**

  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline
    • Website 
    • Chat 
    • Call: 1-800-273-8255 (veterans should select option 1) 
      → Effective July 16, 2022, anyone can access the hotline by dialing 988 
    • Text: 838255
  • Project Refit 
    • Website (with a chat option) 
    • Group sessions (every Monday and Friday, with private sessions on Wednesdays) 
  • Headstrong 
  • Crisis Text Line 
    • Website 
    • Text: HOME to 741741 (will connect you to a crisis counselor) 
  • George W. Bush Institute’s Veterans Wellness Alliance 
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline 
  • SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Hotline 
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness 

AE-Resilience-Hotlines-and-ChatsDownload

Podcasts**

AE-Resilience-PodcastsDownload

** [Indicates #AfghanEvac resources – For more information and additional resources #AfghanEvac website.]

International Resources

Updated: 30 AUG 2022

24/7 Crisis Resources & Tools