Help Seeking, Explore the Register of Veteran Specific Research
Accessing help is a critical step in recovery, yet stigma and lack of awareness often prevent veterans from seeking support. Research about help seeking explores how education, outreach and community engagement can reduce barriers, empower informed choices and normalise conversations about mental health. Understanding these factors is essential for designing programs that encourage early intervention, build trust and create a culture where seeking help is seen as strength.
This resource brings together available studies focused on help-seeking, psychoeducation and stigma. It’s designed to help researchers, policymakers and the veteran community access reliable information that supports wellbeing, recovery and systemic change. Please note that while much research is publicly available, some studies may require subscription access.
Explore the register below to find data about help seeking, if you’d like to explore another topic, you can do so here.
Title: Australian military and veteran’s mental health care part 1: an introduction to cultural essentials for clinicians.
Author/Source: Lane, J. and D. Wallace, Australas Psychiatry, 2020. 28(3): p. 267-269.
Summary: Introduces clinicians to the cultural foundations necessary for effective mental health care of Australian military personnel and veterans. It outlines the military as a structured organisation, a cultural group with shared norms, and a social identity provider. Clinicians are encouraged to develop cultural competence through understanding military structure, common mental health conditions, and the attitudes of both patients and providers.
Title: Building Connections through Sport and Physical Activity for Ill and Injured Military Members and Veterans: Determining the Optimal Time for Program Involvement.
Author/Source: Coulthard, J. and M. Therrien, Military Behavioral Health, 2022. 10(1): p. 60-69.
Summary: Building Connections through Sport and Physical Activity for Ill and Injured Military Members and Veterans: Determining the Optimal Time for Program Involvement.
Title: Purpose after service through sport: A social identity-informed program to support military veteran wellbeing. Educational Publishing Foundation.
Author/Source: Waldhauser, K.J., et al. Educational Publishing Foundation [doi:10.1037/spy0000255]. 2021.
Summary: Evaluated the Canadian-based PASS program, which uses sport to support veterans transitioning to civilian life. The findings support PASS as a feasible and impactful intervention, with future research recommended to assess its effectiveness through randomised trials.
Title: I AM FAMILY: Understanding the adapted sport experiences of family members of military personnel with physical and psychological illnesses and injuries through the lens of the Invictus Games.
Author/Source: Duong, A., et al., Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 2023. 68: p. 102457.
Summary: Examined the experiences of 21 family members of Invictus Games Toronto 2017 competitors, highlighting how adapted sport events can support both veterans and their families. The findings underscore the therapeutic and relational benefits of inclusive sport programming, suggesting that family involvement in events like the Invictus Games fosters healing, connection, and shared identity.
Title: ‘Masters of your fate and the captains of your soul’: media representations of the 2018 Invictus Games.
Author/Source: English, P., et al., Sport in Society, 2021. 24(7): p. 1217-1232.
Summary: Explored how Australian media portrayed the 2018 Invictus Games. Reviewing 176 articles and over eight hours of multimedia content, the study found that coverage focused more on the event’s celebrity and entertainment aspects than on the athletes themselves. The authors argue for more balanced reporting that honours the lived experiences of disabled veterans and the transformative power of sport.
Title: The Contribution of Sport in the Rehabilitation Process of Disabled Military Veterans: A Case Study of the 2016 Invictus Games.
Author/Source: Brittain, I., K. Bunds, and J. Bocarro, Journal of Global Sport Management, 2024. 9(1): p. 62-85.
Summary: Explores how participation in the 2016 Invictus Games supported the rehabilitation of disabled military veterans. The Invictus Games served not only as a competitive outlet but also as a therapeutic space for healing and reintegration.
Title: Outcomes of adaptive sports and recreation participation among veterans returning from combat with acquired disability.
Author/Source: Lundberg, N.R., J. Bennett, and S. Smith, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 2011. 2: p. 105-120.
Summary: Evaluated the impact of adaptive sports and recreation programs on 18 veterans from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The findings underscore the potential of therapeutic recreation to enhance quality of life and emotional wellbeing for veterans with acquired disabilities.
Title: Connection, meaning, and distraction: A qualitative study of video game play and mental health recovery in veterans treated for mental and/or behavioral health problems.
Author/Source: Colder Carras, M., et al., Soc Sci Med, 2018. 216: p. 124-132.
Summary: Explored how video game play supports mental health recovery among U.S. veterans undergoing treatment for behavioural health issues. The authors suggest that clinicians consider video games as a potential tool in recovery-oriented care.
Author/Source: Banks, J. and J.G. Cole, Game Studies, 2016. 16(2).
Summary: Surveyed U.S. military and veteran gamers to understand how digital games serve as coping mechanisms for service-related stress. Findings revealed that gaming supports escapism, symptom management, social connection, and identity negotiation. Military-themed avatars helped veterans maintain a sense of institutional identity, while gameplay offered emotional relief and reconnection with civilian life. The study highlights the therapeutic potential of everyday gaming practices beyond clinical settings.
