MIRECC / CoE

Guides for Living with Purpose and Walking to Wellness

Our Clinical Educator Grant program helps VISN 16 mental health providers create resources that improve treatment for rural and other Veterans who face barriers to care. We give these products to Veterans, VA providers, and the public for free. Visit our Clinical Educator Products webpage to access all of our products.

Living with Purpose: A Guide for Getting More Out of Each Day

Developers: Natalie Hundt, PhD, Maria Armento, PhD, and Jeff Cully, PhD.

Many Veterans with depression do not engage in psychotherapy because of barriers like busy work schedules, chronic health conditions, or lack of transportation. This self-help workbook for mild to moderate depression provides an alternative that may better fit into Veterans’ busy lives.

• Includes a clinician guide that provides a brief overview of the Veteran self-help workbook and behavioral activation.
• Helpful as an adjunct to psychotherapy, allowing Veterans to learn skills independently between sessions. This allows the clinician to use face-to-face time to teach more advanced coping skills.
• Incorporates behavioral activation and goal setting to get Veterans more active and more involved in rewarding activities.
• Beneficial for Veterans with mild to moderate depression who are interested in self-management or those who may have mild comorbid disorders such as anxiety or PTSD.
• Published 2013 | Updated 2023

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Walking to Wellness

Developers:Patricia Dubbert, PhD, Ashley McDaniel, MA, and Barbara Stetson, PhD.

This walking program is for Veterans who want to use exercise to help manage their emotional symptoms and improve their physical health. Program materials were completely revised and updated in 2023.

• For Veterans experiencing mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression symptoms.
• Workbook can be used alone as a self-help guide.
• Includes exercise tip sheets, activity planning worksheets, and personal logs to record experiences.
• Features new supplemental guides for mindful walking and walking with a caregiver:
  • Integrating Mindfulness Into Walking Activities defines mindfulness and how to use mindfulness techniques when walking.
  • Caregiver Walking Together has information and suggestions to help caregivers walk with someone who has dementia or other cognitive impairment.
• Facilitator manual provides current scientific background on exercise and mental health and gives suggestions for using the materials with individuals and groups.
• Published 2015 | Updated 2023

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Last updated: April 23, 2025