A new documentary from Warriors Heart, a private treatment center for military, veterans, and first responders, is highlighting powerful recovery stories during PTSD Awareness Month.
“Healing Warriors: Bringing Strength Back to a Warrior’s Heart” features the personal journeys of service members and first responders dealing with addiction, PTSD, and suicidal ideation, including that of Warriors Heart President and Founder Tom Spooner, a retired Green Beret who served in the U.S. Army for 21 years.
“To date, the hardest thing I ever did was early sobriety in my 20s,” Spooner said. “I had to change my whole life, my behaviors, some people, places and friends. I’ve struggled with PTSD and injuries, and had suicidal ideation since retiring from the military.”
The film draws attention to staggering suicide statistics in the U.S.: an average of 22 veteran suicides per day and one first responder suicide approximately every 25 hours. Spooner emphasized that even these numbers are likely underreported.
The documentary also highlights stories from first responders, including Warriors Heart co-founder Lisa Lannon, a former law enforcement officer. Lannon and her husband, Josh Lannon, initially launched civilian- based recovery centers in Arizona and Utah before realizing the need for warrior- specific treatment. They partnered with Spooner to open Warriors Heart in 2016. With locations on 500acre ranches in Bandera County, Texas, and near Richmond, Virginia, Warriors Heart offers a 42-day in-patient recovery program. The treatment is designed exclusively for veterans, military personnel, and first responders and includes both clinical therapy and holistic electives such as fishing, hiking, woodshop, equine therapy, and music. Each client is assigned two licensed clinicians— one for addiction and one for co-occurring trauma.
The documentary closes around the Warriors Heart fire pit, where 22 empty chairs symbolize the 22 veteran suicides per day. Spooner described the fire pit as a sacred space where “the magic happens”—a place of nightly reflection and community.
“Healing Warriors” is available to watch for free on Make Ready TV, with a wider release on Amazon expected soon. The film includes original songs written by program participants, including “Cry of the Wounded” and “Long Way Home.”
Spooner encouraged those struggling or supporting someone in crisis to reach out: “You are not alone. Choose life.”
Warriors Heart’s 24/7 confidential hotline is staffed by veterans and former first responders at (866) 9554035. For more information or to connect with services, visit www.warriorsheart.com.
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