Rethinking how we support the mental health and whole-body well-being of people experiencing barriers to comprehensive care.
The Veteran Functional Mental Health Initiative is a veteran-led effort to expand access to integrative, evidence-informed mental health support for individuals and communities experiencing barriers to care, through a coordinated, virtual-first model.
Expanding access to whole-person health, for people facing barriers to care.
Seeded Wellness Lab works to expand access to whole-person health education, mental health resources, and evidence-informed support for individuals and communities experiencing barriers to comprehensive care.
We recognize that health is shaped by the interconnected relationship between biology, lived experience, relationships, environment, socioeconomic conditions, and access to resources. Yet care can be fragmented, and many people navigate separate providers, disconnected plans, long wait times, and limited access to individualized support.
Through education, collaboration, and community-centered initiatives, we aim to help bridge gaps in care while recognizing the strengths, knowledge, and lived experiences people bring to their own well-being. The Veteran Functional Mental Health Initiative is a veteran-led extension of this work, explored through a focused pilot program.
Whole-person care. Individualized support. Clinical accountability.
Appropriately licensed healthcare professionals will guide clinical assessments, determine appropriate care pathways, and oversee clinical decision-making.
Where clinically appropriate, participants may receive individualized laboratory testing and health assessments to help clinicians evaluate relevant physiological factors. Testing is not mandatory or identical for every participant. All testing and interpretation will be guided by qualified clinicians.
Participants will have access to appropriate practitioner-led support, health education, and care coordination based on the established clinical model and their individual needs.
We aim to help participants better understand their health, navigate available resources, and build sustainable practices that support their overall well-being.
A 120-day veteran-centered pilot.
Our initial goal is a virtual-first program serving up to 8 veterans. The pilot will help us evaluate the feasibility of a more coordinated, individualized approach to functional mental health support.
- —Participant intake and initial assessment
- —Clinician-directed care planning
- —Individualized testing when appropriate
- —Access to qualified healthcare practitioners
- —Ongoing care coordination and educational support
- —Follow-up assessment and participant feedback
- —Program evaluation and outcome reporting
The pilot will assess participation, access to care, feasibility, participant experience, and relevant health and well-being measures. We will use the findings to identify opportunities for improvement and determine what is needed to responsibly expand the model.
Veterans who deserve a more connected approach to care.
The initiative prioritizes veterans who may benefit from additional support navigating complex mental health and whole-body health concerns.
We are particularly interested in understanding barriers to care for veterans experiencing chronic stress, trauma-related challenges, anxiety, burnout, sleep disruption, and other concerns that may benefit from coordinated clinical attention.
Participation criteria, eligibility, and clinical suitability will be established with our clinical partners.
This initiative is not a replacement for primary care, psychiatric treatment, emergency services, or established VA healthcare benefits.
All clinical services will be delivered by appropriately licensed professionals operating within their scope of practice and applicable regulations.
Clinical decisions, including diagnoses, treatment recommendations, prescriptions, and laboratory testing, will remain the responsibility of qualified healthcare professionals.
We are committed to informed consent, participant privacy, appropriate referrals, transparent program evaluation, and responsible use of charitable funding.
Bridging gaps in care, honoring the knowledge people bring.
Seeded Wellness Lab works to expand access to whole-person health education, mental health resources, and evidence-informed support for individuals and communities experiencing barriers to comprehensive care.
We recognize that health is shaped by the interconnected relationship between biology, lived experience, relationships, environment, socioeconomic conditions, and access to resources.
Through education, collaboration, and community-centered initiatives, we aim to help bridge gaps in care while recognizing the strengths, knowledge, and lived experiences people bring to their own well-being.
The Veteran Functional Mental Health Initiative is a veteran-led extension of this mission.
Aunna Johnson is a Navy veteran, health coach, and mental health advocate with approximately seven years of experience in functional and integrative medicine.
Her professional experience includes health coaching, functional health education, clinical coordination, and supporting individuals navigating complex health concerns.
Through Seeded Wellness Lab, Aunna is developing collaborative programs that connect community needs with evidence-informed health education, clinical partnerships, and accessible support.
The initiative is being developed in collaboration with qualified healthcare professionals and community partners.
Help us build the foundation.
We are currently seeking individuals and organizations interested in helping develop and support the pilot.
Licensed mental health professionals, physicians, functional medicine practitioners, researchers, and other qualified healthcare professionals interested in advising or participating in the clinical model.
Veteran-serving organizations, advocacy groups, and community partners interested in outreach, participant referrals, and resource collaboration.
Veterans interested in learning more about the proposed pilot and potentially participating once eligibility, clinical partnerships, and funding are established.
Better care begins with collaboration.
We are developing the foundation for a 120-day pilot.
- —Join the advisory network
- —Explore a clinical partnership
- —Help connect veterans to the program
- —Express interest in participating
Together, we can help build a more connected future for veteran mental health.