CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon’s recent mental health roadmap launched the end of January, is promoting the program, Veterans Talking To Veterans (VTTV), which is focused on improving community-driven support for veterans.
Robin Elledge and his wife Julie Elledge, Co-Founders of Mentor Agility, a wellness program in Hoback, Wyoming, began VTTV, a veteran-run program, in May, 2021 when the U.S. began to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
“Veterans were triggered when troops were pulled out of Afghanistan and we wanted to do something to support them,” Robin Elledge told Buckrail. “We adapted our trauma-informed coaching certification to meet the needs of the veteran community. Last year, we trained 20 veterans to become certified coaches for other veterans.”
Mentor Agility worked with the Wyoming Veteran Commission to develop VTTV, and the program was so successful in supporting the mental health concerns of veterans, that Governor Gordon included the program in his mental health roadmap initiative in 2023, according to Mentor Agility. In May, 2023, the Governor handed-out diplomas to the 20 graduating veteran coaches in Dubois at the National Museum of Military Vehicles.
According to Mentor Agility, veterans often face unique challenges that can be difficult to discuss openly, and VTTV will offer weekly professional coaching groups and utilize storytelling in order to create a community system of support.
“VTTV plays a vital role in providing veterans with a professional path that stimulates well-being within the community,” Julie Elledge said via press release. “By integrating coaching, VTTV stimulates a holistic self-driven approach to addressing the diverse challenges veterans often face in their post-service lives with dignity.”
According to Mentor Agility, the VTTV coaches will stimulate the internal motivation of veterans and focus on a results and action-oriented approach to personal and professional development. The goal of coaching sessions is to allow a space for veterans to share experiences, explore various aspects of their lives and feel a sense of connection and understanding. VTTV coaches have undergone comprehensive training to address veteran needs, and coaching topics will include, financial well-being, chronic illness management and finding a mentally and physically healthy lifestyle.
The goal of VTTV is to “create a community system that empowers veterans to overcome challenges, build resilience and thrive collectively,” Mentor Agility stated via press release.
