Why the Wyakin Foundation?
Because Wyakin doesn’t want our veterans to become a part of a statistic.
Why the Wyakin Foundation?
Because these are just some of the statistics regarding our veterans (from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs):
- The suicide rate among veterans has surged 35 percent since 2001
- In 2015, an average of 20.6 active-duty Service members, non-activated Guard or Reserve members, and other Veterans died by suicide each day.
- After adjusting for differences in age, the rate of suicide in 2015 was 2.1 times higher among Veterans compared with non-Veteran adults.
- Sixty to eighty percent of Vietnam Veterans seeking PTSD treatment have alcohol use problems. War Veterans with PTSD and alcohol problems tend to be binge drinkers. Binges may be in response to memories of trauma. Veterans over the age of 65 with PTSD are at higher risk for a suicide attempt if they also have drinking problems or depression.
What is a Wyakin?
According to Native legend, a wyakin is a spiritual being that guides and protects a person throughout life. As a rite of passage, adolescents were taken to an isolated location where they remained alone and vulnerable until visited by a wyakin (often in the form of an animal or bird) in a vision or dream. Once the wyakin spirit had revealed itself, it stayed with the individual and served as a guiding force for life.
The Wyakin Mission: To serve as a conduit, connecting wounded and injured veterans to their successful and fulfilling civilian futures through education, development, and guidance.
