More than 700 in-home virtual reality (VR) mental wellness kits have been deployed by the Department of Veterans Affairs nationwide.
At the heart of the program is a simple but powerful idea: Healing shouldn't be limited by location.
Led by VA clinicians and supported by Healium, SoldierPoint, and VA Immersive, the initiative delivers non-pharmacological tools that help veterans self-manage stress from home as part of a healthy lifestyle.
"The world is craving new ways to heal," said Healium CEO Sarah Hill. "We're at a moment where the demand for mental wellness solutions is outpacing traditional care models. Healium was designed for exactly this gap, delivering clinically validated, non-pharmacological tools that help people self-regulate in minutes. It's an honor to support VA in bringing this innovation directly into veterans' homes.
Veterans face disproportionately high rates of stress-related challenges, according to a release. Up to one in three veterans receiving care through the VA may experience symptoms of PTSD. Veterans are more likely to report chronic sleep disturbances, including insomnia. Anxiety and hyperarousal can also impact everything from daily functioning to medical procedures.
Each VR kit also includes Honor Everywhere, a virtual tour program launched in 2013 that gives veterans who are unable to travel the opportunity to virtually visit memorials and other remembrance sites, including the World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Women's Memorial, narrated by veterans who served there. A guided tour of the USS Nimitz while at sea and a tour of the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, are also available.
Veterans interested in trying Healium at home should contact their VA provider.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
