The Effectiveness of Outdoor Therapy with Military Veterans: Exploring Participant Perspectives
Date
2023-07-14
Authors
Nareg, Raina
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
Objective: This study explores an understudied area of outdoor therapy, an alternative therapeutic model for addressing mental health with military veterans. It includes the perspectives of outdoor therapy participants to inform the research findings.
Method: A phenomenological approach inquired veteran perspectives of mental health recovery and outdoor therapy. A gender-based analysis uncovered themes regarding hypermasculinity within military culture. Interview questions explored experiences with Warrior Adventures Canada (WAC), the efficacy of outdoor therapy, and military culture. The study also evaluated responses to program evaluations completed by past WAC participants.
Results: The findings indicate positive improvements to mental health and mental resiliency. These interviews highlight the cultural nuances and gendered differences within the military, which can influence mental health deterioration.
Conclusion: Qualitative data suggests beneficial aspects for mental health recovery not typically found within mainstream trauma-focused approaches, relating to the comfort, safety and trust innately found in the program of WAC.
Description
At present, many of the response systems utilized by veterans for mental health supports implement evidence-based therapies to treat service-related mental health conditions. These services are often short-term and solution-focused, meant to rapidly address and treat mental health of veterans, without addressing mental health stigma, the cultural influence of the military, or considering a gender-based perspective when treating individuals. Many veterans voice disconnection and loneliness following their military release. Outdoor therapy has served to provide reconnection within the veteran community, enhanced social connection and support meaning and purpose by delivering therapy from an alternative approach. This study of Warrior Adventures Canada's (WAC) program has demonstrated that outdoor therapy is effective in treating mental health from a different angle to bridge the gap between conventional and mainstream mental health service delivery models. This is supported by the perspectives of WAC's previous participants, as demonstrated in the semi-structured interview method utilized in this qualitative study.
Keywords
outdoor therapy, wilderness therapy, nature therapy, social work, trauma intervention, trauma therapy, military mental health, veteran mental health, mental health, Warrior Adventures Canada, mental health therapy, holistic mental health, trauma-focused model, trauma therapy model, military social work, non-deliberative practice, hypermasculinity, gender-based analysis, military culture, peer-based model, veterans, veteran, military, Canadian military, Canadian Armed Forces, Armed Forces, military personnel, chain of command, cognitive behavioural therapy, cognitive processing therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, EMDR, CBT, PE, prolonged exposure therapy, CBT, trauma-informed practice, trauma informed practice, trauma informed care, trauma-informed care, trauma-informed therapy, trauma informed therapy, spirituality, physical health, mindfulness, meditation, hiking, kayaking, camping, campfire, white river rafting, group therapy, mental health professional, charity program, by donation program, nonprofit, nonprofit organization, Canadian mental health, department of national defence, DND, military mental health research, veteran mental health research, veteran suicides, veteran suicide, suicide, mental resiliency, post traumatic stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, GAD, operational stress injury, operational stress injuries, OSI, royal canadian mounted police, RCMP, first responders, first responder, outward bound, wounded warriors