Learning to Take Charge
Graphic illustration featuring Whole Health Pathways self-care model.
On March 6, a group of Veterans at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center will embark on a month-long journey that may well improve the quality of their lives. The Whole Health Pathways participants will meet Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for four weeks. Veterans will learn to take charge of their health and well-being and be equipped with tools to live their lives to the fullest.
These sessions, led either by health coaches or specially-trained Veteran-peers, will help Veterans identify reasons for attaining improved health and their health related priorities. Veterans will also learn to set goals and create action steps to improve their own health outcomes.
According to the medical center’s Chief of Patient Centered Care, Michael Knep, Psy.D., Whole Health Pathways offers Veterans the opportunity to become more active in their own health care. “Whole Health Pathway groups empower Veterans to make positive changes and equip them with tools to address concerns in multiple areas of their lives.”
Dr. Knep says that all Veterans enrolled for care at the DC VA Medical Center are eligible to participate, but they need to register for the group by calling Integrative Health and Wellness Program at 202-745-8000, ext. 53882. Veterans are expected to attend the first session and commit to the four-week program. New classes will begin on the first Tuesday of each month.
Whole Health takes the whole person into account, the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social factors. Whole Health represents VA’s shift from a health care system focused on treating disease to one rooted in forming partnerships that helps Veterans care for themselves and achieve their overall well being.
Self-care doesn’t mean being your own doctor; it’s about caring for yourself between medical appointments. The areas of self-care include:
Working Your Body—exercise and movement for energy, flexibility, and strength
Surroundings—how our physical and emotional environment impact overall well-being
Personal Development—learning and growing throughout your lifetime
Food and Drink— nourishing your body
Recharge—sleep, rest, relaxation
Family, Friends, and Co-Workers—your relationships with others
Spirit and Soul— a sense of connection, purpose, and meaning
Power of the Mind— tapping into your ability to heal and cope
Locations of the sessions are subject to change. For more information or to register, please call Integrative Health & Wellness Program 202-745-8000, ext. 53882.
