Army veteran Jason Ayala had spent years in therapy, battling the effects of PTSD. Nothing seemed to click. So, when Ayala was encouraged to participate in Empowering the Spirit, an evidence-based program launched by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Ayala was skeptical.
“I thought, What are these guys going to tell me that I haven’t already heard?” Ayala told VA News.
Empowering the Spirit combines care from chaplains and nurses to form a “spiritual care bundle,” providing a guiding light for veterans showing signs of suicidal ideation. Launching a 12-week pilot program in March, Empowering the Spirit encourages veterans to discover new ways to tap into their spirituality, fostering greater connection with peers, along with the power of healing and hope.
The program, led by a nurse and a chaplain at the Houston VA Medical Center, invites veterans to meet weekly to share ideas on healing and growth.
Ayala, a father of seven children, was inspired to join the program after a difficult holiday season. While apprehensive at first, he decided it was worth trying. Rather than providing empty words, like similar PTSD programs he’s tried in the past, Ayala surprisingly felt hope. He realized he could be forgiven for past mistakes. The Army veteran was empowered to rebuild broken relationships.
The burden Ayala carried from his military journey made him grapple with feelings of isolation. He had lost his faith. However, after several weeks in Empowering the Spirit, Ayala began to regain hope. He also felt a spark to return to his spiritual roots, deciding to attend church services again with his children.
Dr. Emmanuel Thompson, a clinical chaplain at Houston VA, was a catalyst for the spiritual care program. Thompson, like many veterans, has experienced PTSD, growing up in war-torn Sierra Leone in the 1990s. He came to the U.S. in 2000, determined to find ways to heal his emotional scars and help others do the same.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the transformations happening in Veterans right before our eyes,” Thompson said. “We’re helping them find clarity and reclaim their hope for the future. It’s truly heartwarming.”
It’s also transformed Ayala’s life. But he knows the process of healing won’t happen overnight. Ayala still endures nightmares from his time in the military, but he’s also enjoying a newfound feeling of happiness having reacclimated with his faith.
“I thought it was refreshing that when I signed up for this program, they didn’t promise to fix me,” Ayala said. “They met each one of us where we were and helped inspire us to surrender to God for healing. It’s all about empowerment – embracing the spirit within us.”
Thompson said the program plans to grow to other VA facilities in southeast Texas. Based on the program’s initial success, the VA could look to adopt similar programs across the country.
“The link between spirituality and healing is clear,” Thompson said. “Our job at VA is to do all we can to help Veterans find their path forward.”
More information on mental health resources can be found here.
