FUCHS Supports Veterans with High-Speed Mental Health
Many of our nation’s veterans return from duty with invisible scars. 14% to 16% of veterans deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression. Each year, more than one million veterans in the United States receive mental health treatment from Veterans Affairs (VA). Talk therapy and medication while effective, are not the only options available to veterans seeking care. That’s why FUCHS is proud to be the premiere sponsor of Track Heroes.
Track Heroes is a veteran-founded non-profit organization that combines High Performance Driving and cutting-edge neuroscience to improve the mental health of veterans and first responders (V1Rs) suffering from the daily effects of PTSD, anxiety, depression, stress, and other conditions.
Sponsors provide Track Heroes with vital support by directly funding events, providing critical resources/services, giving special access to heroes, and helping bring awareness to the program. “With the support of FUCHS, we can add another vehicle to our fleet. This provides additional opportunities for veterans and first responders to participate in our events who would otherwise not have the resources to do so,” remarked Luke Ryker, President and Founder of Track Heroes.
The Science Behind High-Performance Driving
When exposed to the high-stress environment of active duty V1Rs experience increased awareness, sensory input, and visual recognition. Even when V1Rs return home, they can continue to perceive the world in a similar fashion which can trigger stress and anxiety due to the negative context with which they associate these feelings. Track Heroes uses this increased awareness, sensory input, and visual recognition and associates it with positive, high-performance driving experiences.
Using neuroscience research, Track Heroes has designed a program that targets the area of the brain responsible for processing emotions to engage it with specific stimuli, in a specific sequence to trigger specific positive neurological responses. This program aims to provide immediate relief and long-term healing that does not rely on medication.
“Traditional Psychological treatment methods work to resolve many issues and Track Heroes encourages people to continue Provider care. What we offer is an additive. As our research and data builds, we hope to introduce new techniques to healing that are more tailored to the problems faced by our community,” remarked Ryker.
“Being able to take a negative thing that has happened in the past that has spiked adrenaline and be able to redirect it in this new way has taught me that not all these spiked adrenalines are bad,” remarked one Hero from the program. He went on to describe the experience as “redirecting memory.”
TITAN Hits the Track
Track Heroes recently visited FUCHS Lubricants Co. headquarters in Harvey, Illinois to educate the team about the Track Heroes mission and the importance of taking care of your mental health. “The work Track Heroes is doing to support veterans, and first responders is truly commendable. FUCHS is proud to support an organization that does so much good for our nation’s heroes,” says Arthur Adams, Executive Vice President of Sales at FUCHS Lubricants Co.
In addition to the new vehicle, FUCHS will be equipping Track Heroes with automotive fluids from their TITAN product line. The TITAN product range offers a comprehensive selection of high-quality oils for passenger cars both with original manufacturer approvals and includes engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils, and transmission fluids.
Beyond Track Heroes, FUCHS has also worked with organizations committed to supporting veterans in their transition from active duty to careers in the manufacturing industry. Veterans are encouraged to visit our Careers page to apply for open positions. “Veterans bring tremendous value and experience to our workforce. We are proud to offer opportunities for veterans to utilize their skills here at FUCHS,” says Keith Brewer, CEO of FUCHS Lubricants Co. Brewer himself is a veteran of the US Army. “As we approach Veterans Day, we want to thank all of our veterans and active service members fighting for our country.”
To learn more about Track Heroes and how you can support their mission visit: https://trackheroes.org/