Mental Wellness
Launched in 2023 following two years of development, Mental Wellness at EDF provides military and veteran caregivers with safe, supportive, virtual spaces to connect with their peers through structured workshops and thematic care groups organized around shared life experiences.
Mental Wellness Framework
The Caregiver Mental Wellness Framework is a tool created to identify and validate the unique elements of military and veteran caregivers’ mental health and wellness and provide pathways to support.
Mental Wellness Workshop
The Caregiver Mental Wellness Workshop is a 6-week virtual program for military and veteran caregivers to come together in a safe and structured space to reflect on their mental wellness experience as it relates to their role as a caregiver; receive and provide support with peers; identify and improve current coping strategies and knowledge of resources; and develop an understanding of how to develop a practice of self-care.
Care Groups
Care Groups offer a safe, virtual space for caregivers to connect monthly with peers experiencing similar life situations. Care Groups are held once a month for one hour via Zoom and are facilitated by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Specialist and a Caregiver Peer Facilitator. We offer three Care Groups, tailored to caregivers with the following experiences:
Caregivers who care for someone under 60 (The second Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
Caregivers who care for someone over 60 (The third Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
Caregivers experiencing divorce or separation from their care recipient (The fourth Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
Care Groups are open to any military or veteran caregiver over the age of 18 whose caregiving experience aligns with the group topics above. There is no commitment to attend every session, however we encourage you to join as often as you can. Care Groups are not mental health counseling nor therapy and are not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment.
Mental Wellness Book Club
Launched in Fall 2024, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Book Club dives into a new mental wellness focused book each quarter. The book club meets via Zoom twice over the course of 3 months and members will stay connected via weekly emails full of book-related questions, journal prompts, and wellness ideas.
The Mental Wellness Book Club is facilitated by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Specialist and is open to any military and veteran caregiver who is interested in investing in their mental wellness and connecting with other caregivers.
Participation is limited to 20 caregivers. We strongly encourage you to check your local library for the book, but if it’s not available the Foundation EDF will mail you a copy.