Sell 4 Free Real Estate
Operation Mind, Body & Soul Expands Offerings for Veterans and First Responders
Operation Mind, Body and Soul has released a public update on their progress, services,
partnerships, and impact on the community. Recently, the program was the recipient of
funding from the county’s opioid settlement that are being used to expand on existing
offerings. The funds have allowed them to increase access to behavioral health resources and
reduce barriers to care. In his public statements, director Boone Taylor said, “Our priority is
behavioral and health support, crisis intervention, recovery services, wellness initiatives, and
preventive efforts throughout Dubois County.”
The program offers ongoing peer support opportunities that create a safe environment for
veterans and first responders to discuss mental health challenges, life stressors, PTSD,
substance use issues, and recovery. Family support and education opportunities provide
additional resources for family members and caregivers.
Operation Mind, Body and Soul has focused on creating safe spaces to meet the unique needs
of veterans and first responders. One notable offering is the veterans’ mobile crisis intervention
team, which utilizes specialized training for “crisis response, de-escalation, suicide prevention,
trauma-informed care and community-based crisis stabilization.” In conjunction with the
Dubois County Health Department and the Indiana DNR, they will be introducing a safe home
initiative to reduce lethal methods of coping during times of crisis.
Working with the Dubois County Sheriff's Department, an ambulance has been transformed
into a counseling station on wheels. Taylor said, “So, we can go to the scene, we can get the
veteran out of the scene and into the ambulance, kind of deescalate the situation, and then get
them on the road to getting help or getting better. So, that's been amazing. We went to the
Mental Health Summit up in Fort Wayne recently and we were explaining what we're doing
here in Dubois County and they were amazed that something this big is coming out of such a
small area.”
In their fitness and wellness initiative, the Mind, Body and Soul gym provides an outlet for
stress management and resilience. The facility is open and available to veterans, law
enforcement officers, and first responders, as well as their families.
The classroom and training center is also a valuable community resource for mental health
awareness, suicide prevention, substance use education, and crisis intervention. It also provides
employment and workforce development partnerships, collaborating with VUJC to assist
veterans in identifying educational opportunities, workforce training programs, certificates, and
other career pathways.
For more information on these and other updates, visit
www.operationmindbodyandsoulcorp.net
- Drew Hasselbring