Local Group dedicated to Veteran Mental Health
November 9, 2022
Ezra DeVore
“Our motto is ‘To serve those who have already served,’” says Scott Hettinger, leader of Charlie 22 Outdoors, a local veterans group dedicated to “show the meaning and grace that only comes from God,” and help veterans through their mental health struggles. “We battle the PTSD and demons our military personnel face everyday.”
Hettinger states that one of the greatest issues veterans face is struggling alone with fraying mental health. According to a CDC statement from June of this year, it is estimated that of the 130 suicides per day in 2021, 17 were veterans. However, Hettinger states that some estimates of daily veteran suicide are as high as 44, upon considering acts that aren’t direct suicide, but substance abuse leading to eventual death. Individuals in this state may be at risk of putting themselves in deadly situations, with little care for their own health or safety.
“One a day is too many,” Hettinger states. Signs to notice, he says, are: “If you notice somebody that is withdrawn, reclusive - they show signs of anxiety or depression, or they make statements that show a reason to be concerned: ‘Why do I need to live,’ ‘Why am I here?’ It’s different for everybody, though.”
Hettinger states that there is an application process for the events that are held nationwide to determine “who could benefit most from coming to an event.” These events can be one to four days, and are meant as retreats to bring one closer to who they want to become, as well as to their community. Hettinger says that these issues of PTSD and other challenges that military personnel face are best faced surrounded by those one trusts and can relate to.
Though the program is faith-based, the retreats aren’t always to churches. “Church can take place on a boat in the ocean. Church for us is getting the men and women together and letting them heal together. To let the veterans get together with their family and their friends - when they can relate to each other, it’s healing. The last two years, I’ve noticed that every event has been returning veterans coming back to be a part of it, and to help it go forward. To see the veterans take ownership in this ministry - that’s what we want, they’re like family.” Activities the groups do include hunting, fishing, sailing, golfing, horse therapy, and similar outdoor activities to recover communally, including events hosted at Roaring River State Park.
Hettinger states that one of the difficulties arising due to the organization paying for travel expenses and lodging is that of finances, and thus, Hettinger states that “prayer, volunteers, and donations,” are what the organization needs most.
To reach Scott Hettinger and sign up for yourself or another for the program, interested persons may contact charlie22outdoors@gmail.com. To learn more, please visit www.charlie22outdoors.com.
“Our motto is ‘To serve those who have already served,’” says Scott Hettinger, leader of Charlie 22 Outdoors, a local veterans group dedicated to “show the meaning and grace that only comes from God,” and help veterans through their mental health struggles. “We battle the PTSD and demons our military personnel face everyday.”
Hettinger states that one of the greatest issues veterans face is struggling alone with fraying mental health. According to a CDC statement from June of this year, it is estimated that of the 130 suicides per day in 2021, 17 were veterans. However, Hettinger states that some estimates of daily veteran suicide are as high as 44, upon considering acts that aren’t direct suicide, but substance abuse leading to eventual death. Individuals in this state may be at risk of putting themselves in deadly situations, with little care for their own health or safety.
“One a day is too many,” Hettinger states. Signs to notice, he says, are: “If you notice somebody that is withdrawn, reclusive - they show signs of anxiety or depression, or they make statements that show a reason to be concerned: ‘Why do I need to live,’ ‘Why am I here?’ It’s different for everybody, though.”
Hettinger states that there is an application process for the events that are held nationwide to determine “who could benefit most from coming to an event.” These events can be one to four days, and are meant as retreats to bring one closer to who they want to become, as well as to their community. Hettinger says that these issues of PTSD and other challenges that military personnel face are best faced surrounded by those one trusts and can relate to.
Though the program is faith-based, the retreats aren’t always to churches. “Church can take place on a boat in the ocean. Church for us is getting the men and women together and letting them heal together. To let the veterans get together with their family and their friends - when they can relate to each other, it’s healing. The last two years, I’ve noticed that every event has been returning veterans coming back to be a part of it, and to help it go forward. To see the veterans take ownership in this ministry - that’s what we want, they’re like family.” Activities the groups do include hunting, fishing, sailing, golfing, horse therapy, and similar outdoor activities to recover communally, including events hosted at Roaring River State Park.
Hettinger states that one of the difficulties arising due to the organization paying for travel expenses and lodging is that of finances, and thus, Hettinger states that “prayer, volunteers, and donations,” are what the organization needs most.
To reach Scott Hettinger and sign up for yourself or another for the program, interested persons may contact charlie22outdoors@gmail.com. To learn more, please visit www.charlie22outdoors.com.