Empowering Veterans Ipswich

A five-day program designed to empower veterans with PTSD, anxiety, stress or other mental health concerns, with practical tools to enhance their wellbeing, using Breath Meditation technique.

Griffith University is the program delivery partner for the Empowering Veterans Program, with facilitation provided by the International Association of Human Values (IAHV) and clinical oversight and evaluation conducted by the Griffith University School of Medicine and Dentistry. 

The program is centred on the Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) breath meditation technique and is delivered through evidence-based workshops designed to support veterans experiencing PTSD, anxiety, stress, and other mental health challenges. It equips participants with practical tools to enhance their wellbeing, emotional regulation, and resilience. 

For more than 20 years, IAHV has delivered the “Project Welcome Home Troops” program in the United States. Griffith University is now seeking to pilot this initiative in Australia to evaluate its effectiveness for ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members. 

This pilot aims to provide tailored workshops for the Australian veteran community, alongside a structured program evaluation. The goal is to assess outcomes related to mental health, emotional resilience, and overall quality of life. 

The program has also been featured in the documentaries Almost Sunrise, which follows two Iraq War veterans, and Free the Mind, which explores meditation-based therapy for U.S. veterans returning from combat. 

Workshops will be delivered by trained IAHV facilitators who are trauma-informed counsellors with experience in teaching breathwork and meditation practices. 

Event times

Monday (11th Sept – 4:00pm – 6:30pm) 

Saturday and Sunday (12th & 13th Sept – 09:00am-11:30am) 

Tuesday & Wednesday (14th& 15th Sept – 4:00pm-6:30pm)