STUDENT CAUCUS EVENT: Post-Traumatic Growth for Veterans
Location
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; LIVESTREAM AVAILABLE (scroll down for instructions)—REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Presented by
JOHN SIMS
Retired Colonel and Director of Programs at Boulder Crest Retreat in Bluemont, Virginia
Hosted by
MILITARY SOCIAL WORK CAUCUS, Columbia University’s School of Social Work
About the Program
In the aftermath of 16 years of war, more than 700,000 combat veterans, and 1.4 million family members, are battling the invisible wounds of war. The current mental health system, with its reliance on a one-size-fits-all approach of pharmaceuticals and talk therapy, has proven ineffective and ill-equipped to address the nature and scale of the challenges facing combat veterans and their families. At this caucus-sponsored event, Ret. Colonel John Sims will explain the philosophy behind Boulder Crest Retreat’s comprehensive wellness model. Privately funded, it fosters healing and Post-traumatic Growth through ancient warrior therapeutic techniques including archery, equine therapy, culinary therapy, transcendental meditation, and yoga.
About the Speaker
Retired Colonel John Sims (bio; interview) served for 30 years in the U.S. Army as both an Infantry NCO and Field Artillery officer. His operational deployments include Desert Shield/Storm, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He was the senior operations officer in the National Military Command Center during the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon. Upon his retirement from the Army in 2013, Sims has been working tirelessly on behalf of the cause of integrating veterans into the community, serving as the Deputy Director for Career Transition at the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). In July of this year, he joined Boulder Crest Retreat in Bluemont, Virginia, as Director of Programs and a Warrior PATHH Guide.
How to follow on Livestream:
About ten minutes before the event, go to this link:
https://livestream.com/accounts/3727021/events/7825511
All registrants will receive a reminder of this link around 30 minutes before the program starts.
Notes:
- Do not open the link in more than one window or you will hear an echo.
- Make sure your speaker volume is turned up.
- Type your questions for the speakers into the chat.
- Ethernet is more reliable than wifi.
Questions on Livestream? Please contact swcommunications@columbia.edu
