Veterans are finding community and healing through surf therapy at Carolina Beach, thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project and Ocean Cure.

Combating Isolation

Nearly four in five veterans suffer from isolation, according to the Wounded Warrior Project. To combat this, organizers with Ocean Cure are using the unpredictability of the ocean as a therapeutic tool, forcing participants to focus on the present moment.

“When you’re in the ocean, it’s a really unpredictable environment, so you’re not thinking about all those other things you may be dealing with,” said Kevin Murphy with Ocean Cure. “You’re focused on that next wave; you’re focused on maybe overcoming some fear of being in the ocean; you’ve got some people who are non-swimmers. And, it gets your mind into a different place.”

There are several activities available, keeping accessibility needs as a top priority. Some participants sit, lie or stand on boards outside of the water, depending on their needs.

This ‘ocean therapy’ helps veterans break through isolation through community and interacting with nature, organizers say.

Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.