Durant, Okla. – Choctaw Nation launched Warrior Wellness, a grant-funded program, during the recent Choctaw Nation Veterans Day Ceremony. The new program is designed to connect Native American veterans with their culture, heritage, and each other to reduce rates of death by suicide among veterans.
“Being one of only 80 organizations awarded the grant means we can provide pivotal services here in southeast Oklahoma for Native American Veterans and their families,” said program coordinator Courtney Trent, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Choctaw Nation Health Services Authority. The grant is a part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ SSG Parker Fox Suicide Prevention Program.
The new program provides access to an array of culturally connected holistic services to enhance mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. Working alongside Choctaw Nation Veterans Advocacy Department, Warrior Wellness’ Peer Support Specialists and Counselors will provide case management, weekend family retreats, animal-assisted and equine services, trail riding, hiking, fishing, family support, and gardening groups.
The care team will also provide case management and VA benefits assistance to Native American veterans trying to navigate the system. In addition to the in-person services, Warrior Wellness has teamed up with Q Actual, an app designed for peer-to-peer support. “Operation Pop Smoke” is themed with the veterans in mind and facilitates a continued connection with the peer support group.
About The Choctaw Nation
The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 208,000 tribal members and 11,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture,” is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity. For more information about the Choctaw Nation, its culture, heritage and traditions, please go to www.choctawnation.com.
About Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox
SSG Fox SPGP honors Veteran Parker Gordon Fox, who joined the Army in 2014 and was a sniper instructor at the U.S. Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Known for a life of generosity and kindness to others in need, Fox died by suicide on July 21, 2020, at the age of 25.