Pictured are speaker sponsor Buck Wilson, Mitch Ray, and Optimist Club President David Kafitz. Ray received a copy of the Optimist Creed.
By Rick Abercrombie
In a world protected by the military and by first responders, there is an ongoing need for “post-traumatic growth.” Speaking to St. Andrews Optimists July 10, Mitch Ray, Executive Director of The Big Red Barn described the safe haven the Barn provides for those heroes.
The mission of the Barn is to offer a place of respite and restoration that meets its clients wherever their struggles with post-traumatic issues are. The Barn is located on a 75-acre tract of land in Blythewood, and its services are at no cost to those whom it serves.
At the Barn, programs have been formulated to help reduce levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Those negatives are replaced with feelings of relaxation, mental well-being, joy, and connection.
Among the programs the Barn offers are:
Yoga and Tai Chi (weekly): Specialists take the clients through breath practices, body movement, and meditation, the result of which is deep focus and relaxation.
Meditation Training (quarterly): Transcendental Meditation is used to lower stress levels and calm the nervous systems.
Healing Arts (twice a year): Encourages clients to involve themselves in music, art groups, and photography (bi-monthly).
Gardening (weekly): This is a great stress reducer, offered throughout the year so that “crops” can follow the seasons of planting and harvesting.
Equine-Asisted Services (individual and group sessions): In Mitch Ray’s words, “Horses are non-judgmental.” They are a proven aid in building trust, managing emotions, and improving communication.
Gathering For Growth (Fridays at 11:50 am): Veterans and first responders meet in a relaxed group and gradually realize that they are not alone in their struggles. The group offers an opportunity for members to open up and ventilate in a casual setting.
Around the nation, there are similar organizations — each with its own name — that exist for the same purpose. So the Big Red Barn, while local in scope, is part of a larger collection of similar entities.
Summarizing the positive effects of the Big Red Barn, Ray said, “The worst chapter in your life doesn’t have to be the last one.”
