Whole Health

A member of the Winston-Salem chapter of Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing wades in the water as they cast their rod out and patiently waits for a tug on the line. Photo courtesy of Rickie Woodson, assistant program lead for the chapter.

Anglers are methodical as they swing their rods in the breeze and cast their flies into the water. It's truly a rhythm, like a duet with nature. 

For Veterans who may be experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sports and other recreational activities like fly fishing may be a haven. 

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Center for PTSD, the condition is more common among Veterans than civilians, with 7 out of every 100 Veterans experiencing PTSD or related symptoms.

To assist Veterans experiencing PTSD, VA Salisbury Health Care partners with Project Healing Waters (PHW) Fly Fishing, a national nonprofit group, as part of Whole Health. PHW gives Veterans the unique opportunity to participate in fly fishing classes and travel to local, regional, and national ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams to experience the tranquil sport at no cost to the Veteran. 

“This is a journey we take,” said Rickie Woodson, assistant program lead of the Winston-Salem chapter of PHW. Woodson, 74, is a Navy Veteran and familiar with what many Veterans experience when transitioning to civilian life.

“We have so much in common that we can help each other and talk to each other. We don’t have to talk about what took place, but we can still relate and give each other support. 

“It’s made a world of difference for me; it’s changed my life with my family to be able to be part of this group. I’m a different person,” added Woodson.

Woodson said summer is their slow season and the group often takes a little time off for vacationing with their families. But as fall approaches, things will get back into swing with classes and fly fishing activities and trips well into spring.

In the meantime, the Whole Health team at VA Salisbury Health Care has partnered with PHW’s Winston-Salem chapter for several events, including fly-tying classes. 

“This idea of community, which represents that outer ring of the Whole Health circle, is a great example of a community partner,” said Dr. Christina Vair, psychologist and Whole Health clinical director at VA Salisbury Health Care.

“Evidence-based research shows that when we connect with nature and with others, there are many benefits to our health and well-being,” added Dr. Vair.

Additionally, the group hosts fly-tying classes on Wednesday mornings at the South Fork Community Center in Winston-Salem from 9 a.m. to noon. In September, they plan to start their rod-building classes.

Currently, the PHW Winston-Salem chapter has about 40 Veteran participants and 30 volunteers. Woodson said one of the group’s biggest goals is to continue to grow membership and volunteers and to have any Veterans from different backgrounds and fishing experience join the group. 

Army Veteran and PHW member James Smith, 75, who served in the Vietnam War, has been with the group for about 15 years. 

“Before joining the group, I really didn’t get out much. I stayed home a lot,” explained Smith who initially joined the group after learning about them during a visit to the Salisbury VA Medical Center.

“It really has helped me to cope, and the friendships and camaraderie you build over time have been priceless,” added Smith who has dealt with PTSD.

The partnership with PHW began when the Winston-Salem chapter reached out to B.J. Farmer, executive administrative officer at Kernersville VA Health Care Center (HCC), about setting up a booth at the HCC to reach more Veterans.

“Sometimes with PTSD, [Veterans] have triggers and it’s nice to just have a way to escape. Nature has a way of calming you down naturally—the sound of the water in the camaraderie of Veterans, who may have experienced the same things you did,” said Farmer, who is an Air Force Veteran.

“We always want our Veterans to engage and find good things they can relate to, and if it helps with their mental health or PTSD, we have tried to support those community organizations that can come in and give those Veterans an outlet to further their treatment plan,” she noted.

Many VA medical centers collaborate with Project Healing Waters and other community partnerships to offer recreational activities that support Whole Health. To find out about Whole Health offerings in your area, contact your local facility.