The mission of the Whole Health program is to empower Veterans to take charge of their health and engage in activities that promote resilience and overall wellness. The Resilience and Wellness Center (RWC), established in October 2018, is the flagship program under the auspices of the Bronx VA Whole Health program. The RWC is an outpatient program that provides a host of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) behavioral interventions and educational programming aimed at promoting overall wellness and reducing suicide risk.

The RWC follows a cohort model, wherein Veterans participate in four weeks of intensive and immersive programming that includes meditation and mindfulness, horticultural therapy, physical exercise, nutrition, and motivational curriculum. Inclusion in the RWC program is transdiagnostic and open to all Veterans receiving care across all services. Participants are typically referred by clinicians, with a focus on at-risk, vulnerable Veterans who are isolated and experiencing ongoing environmental stressors and who are interested in learning new coping strategies to make significant lifestyle changes.

Suicide prevention is a high priority within the VA, given the elevated rates of suicide among Veterans. The RWC's CIH interventions target key risk factors of suicide, providing an alternative to traditional mental health treatments. These interventions are often more acceptable to Veterans who do not engage in mental health services, citing perceived stigma or other barriers; importantly, the RWC serves as a crucial conduit for transitioning Veterans into mental health services.