Mental Health, Explore the Full Register of Veteran Specific Research

Mental health is fundamental to a veteran’s ability to thrive after service. Research shows that conditions such as PTSD, depression and anxiety are prevalent among veterans and can significantly impact quality of life, relationships and employment. Understanding these challenges and the interventions that work, is essential for creating programs that foster resilience, provide timely support and reduce stigma. Evidence-based insights help shape policies that prioritise mental wellbeing alongside physical recovery.

This resource brings together available studies focused on veteran mental health. 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 mental health, if you’d like to explore another topic, you can do so here.

Title: The health and wellbeing needs of veterans: a rapid review.
Author/Source: Oster, C., et al; BMC Psychiatry, 2017. 17(1): p. 414.
Summary: Highlights the complex interplay between physical, mental, and social health domains, emphasising that these aspects are deeply interconnected and influenced by demographic factors and military service characteristics such as type, intensity, and duration. Advocates for service provision that is responsive to the unique challenges veterans face during and after their transition to civilian life, aiming to inform future policy and program development.

Title: Mental Health Prevalence, Mental Health Prevalence and Wellbeing Transition Study. 2018: Canberra.
Author/Source: Van Hooff, M., Lawrence-Wood, E., Hodson, S., Benassi, H., Hansen, C., Grace, B., Avery, J., Searler, A., Iannos, M., Abraham, M., Baur, J., McFarlane, A.
Summary: Provides a comprehensive assessment of the mental health status of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members transitioning to civilian life. Underscores the heightened vulnerability of transitioning veterans compared to active service members and civilians and highlight the need for targeted mental health services and policy reform to support this population.

Title: The US framework for understanding, preventing, and caring for the mental health needs of service members who served in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq: a brief review of the issues and the research.
Author/Source: Castro, C.A., European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 2014. 5.
Summary: Presents a comprehensive review of psychological health research conducted in the United States to support combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, structured around the Military Psychological Health Research Continuum. Also examines emerging technologies like telemedicine and virtual reality, and strategies to reduce stigma and improve access to care. Special attention is given to vulnerable subgroups including women, National Guardsmen, reservists, and military families.

Title: The Transition Experiences of British Military Veterans.
Author/Source: Binks, E. and S. Cambridge, Political Psychology, 2018. 39(1): p. 125-142.
Summary: Investigates how British military veterans experience the transition from military to civilian life, with a particular focus on identity transformation. Highlights that veterans with a stronger military identity often face more significant challenges during reintegration, including loss of purpose, social isolation, and difficulty adapting to civilian norms.

Title: Mental health in the Australian Defence Force: 2010 ADF Mental Health and Wellbeing Study: Full Report. 2011: Canberra.
Author/Source: McFarlane, A.C., et al.,
Summary: Provides a comprehensive assessment of the mental health status of currently serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. The findings informed the development of targeted mental health screening tools and laid the foundation for future ADF mental health strategies.

Title: Associations of childhood trauma and childhood mental disorder with past-year mental disorder in military and civilian employed men.
Author/Source: Sheriff, R.S., et al., Psychiatry Res, 2019. 280: p. 112482.
Summary: Investigates how childhood trauma and childhood mental disorders contribute to the development of mental disorders in adulthood among military and civilian employed men aged 18–60. Underscores the importance of early identification and intervention across the full spectrum of childhood mental health issues—not just PTSD or anxiety—to mitigate long-term mental health risks.

Title: Defining trauma: How level of exposure and proximity affect risk for posttraumatic stress disorder.
Author/Source: May, C.L. and B.E. Wisco, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2016. 8(2): p. 233-240.
Summary: Explores how different types and degrees of trauma exposure—specifically direct versus indirect—and proximity to traumatic events influence the risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings help refine the understanding of trauma definitions and suggest that future research should further investigate the DSM-5’s stipulation that media-based exposure must be work-related to qualify as traumatic.

Title: Specific Populations and Trauma Types: Military and ex-military personnel in Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Stress Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. 
Author/Source: Phoenix-Australia., 2020
Summary: Provides targeted recommendations for practitioners working with military and ex-military personnel, recognising the unique trauma exposures and cultural contexts of this population. Outlines how military service often involves repeated exposure to life-threatening events—such as combat, peacekeeping, disaster relief, and counter-terrorism operations—that significantly elevate the risk of developing PTSD.

Title: Psychotherapy for military-related posttraumatic stress disorder: review of the evidence.
Author/Source: Steenkamp, M.M. and B.T. Litz, Clin Psychol Rev, 2013. 33(1): p. 45-53.
Summary: Evaluates the effectiveness and implementation of individual outpatient psychotherapies for military-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), focusing on veterans and active duty personnel deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Emphasises the need for tailored interventions that reflect the unique experiences of military populations, including combat trauma and moral injury, and advocates for broader implementation strategies to ensure that effective therapies reach those most in need.

Title: Effects of Pharmacotherapy on Combat-Related PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression Analysis.
Author/Source: Puetz, T.W., S.D. Youngstedt, and M.P. Herring, PLOS ONE, 2015. 10(5): p. e0126529.
Summary: Evaluates the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression among 773 combat veterans across 18 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. The findings support pharmacotherapy as a viable treatment option for combat-related mental health conditions, particularly when tailored to individual patient profiles.

Title: Early discontinuation of pharmacotherapy in U.S. veterans diagnosed with PTSD and the role of psychotherapy.
Author/Source: Duek, O., et al., Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021. 132: p. 167-173.
Summary: Analysed data from over 154,000 U.S. veterans newly diagnosed with PTSD to examine patterns and predictors of early discontinuation of psychotropic medications. The findings underscore the importance of integrating psychotherapy early in treatment to improve adherence and outcomes and highlight the need for targeted interventions to address barriers to sustained pharmacotherapy.

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 dimensions essential for effective mental health care of Australian military personnel and veterans. Outlines key competencies for clinicians, including understanding military structure, common mental health disorders, and the importance of clinician-patient attitudes. It calls for further research into cultural competence and its impact on clinical outcomes, advocating for culturally informed care as a cornerstone of effective treatment.

Title: Pathways to Care, Mental Health and Wellbeing Transition Study. 2018: Canberra.
Author/Source: Forbes, D., et al.,
Summary: Part of the Transition and Wellbeing Research Programme, investigates how transitioned and currently serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members access, use, and value mental health services. Highlights that transitioned ADF members experience higher rates of mental disorders than their serving counterparts and emphasises the need for culturally competent, veteran-aware services.

Title: Complementary and integrative interventions for PTSD.
Author/Source: Niles, B., A. Lang, and M. Olff, European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 2023. 14(2): p. 2247888.
Summary: Explores the emerging evidence base for Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH) interventions in treating PTSD. Emphasises the role of nonspecific treatment factors like therapeutic rituals and social interaction, and highlights mechanisms such as emotion regulation and posttraumatic growth.

Title: What are the physical and mental wellbeing benefits veterans achieve through participating in sporting activities? A Rapid Evidence Assessment.
Author/Source: Milanese, S., et al., Technical Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs, 2018.
Summary: Pull together 27 studies to evaluate the impact of sport on veteran wellbeing. It finds “promising” evidence for mental health benefits across various sporting formats—competitive, aerobic, mind-body, and recreational—but limited evidence for physical health outcomes.

Title: Batter up! Relapse prevention for homeless veteran substance abusers via softball team participation.
Author/Source: Burling, T.A., et al., J Subst Abuse, 1992. 4(4): p. 407-13.
Summary: Examined the effects of community-based softball participation on 34 homeless veterans in a residential substance abuse program. The findings suggest that sport offers a semi-structured environment for practicing coping skills and building supportive relationships, making it a viable adjunct to traditional cognitive-behavioural relapse prevention strategies.

Title: Investigation of the Impact of Sports, Exercise, and Recreation Participation on Psychosocial Outcomes in a Population of Veterans with Disabilities: A Cross-sectional Study.
Author/Source: Laferrier, J.Z., E. Teodorski, and R.A. Cooper, American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2015. 94(12): p. 1026-1034.
Summary: Assessed 220 veterans with disabilities participating in adaptive sporting events. It found that longer participation in sports, exercise, and recreation was positively associated with higher self-esteem and quality of life. Underscores the therapeutic value of sport in promoting mental health and social integration among veterans with physical disabilities.

Title: Investigation of the Impact of Sports, Exercise and Recreation (ser) Participation on Psychosocial Outcomes in a Population of Veterans with Disabilities Using the Sports Outcome Research Tool and Comprehensive Uniform Survey (Sportacus). A Longitudinal Study.
Author/Source: Laferrier, J.Z., et al., Journal of Novel Physiotherapies, 2017. 7(5).
Summary: Assessed 163 veterans with disabilities, comparing those who participated in sports, exercise, and recreation (SER) with non-participants. Using the SPORTACUS tool, researchers found that SER participants had significantly higher self-esteem, posttraumatic growth, and quality of life, and lower depression scores.

Title: Can scuba diving offer therapeutic benefit to military veterans experiencing physical and psychological injuries as a result of combat? A service evaluation of Deptherapy UK.
Author/Source: Morgan, A., et al., Disability and Rehabilitation, 2019. 41(23): p. 2832-2840.
Summary: Evaluation of Deptherapy UK involved 15 male veterans with physical and psychological injuries. Participants underwent scuba diving training and peer support, with assessments showing significant improvements in anxiety, depression, social functioning, and insomnia. The most pronounced benefits were observed in veterans with psychological injuries. The study concludes that scuba diving offers meaningful therapeutic value, particularly for veterans with PTSD and adjustment disorders.

Title: The effects of surfing and the natural environment on the wellbeing of combat veterans.
Author/Source: Caddick, N., B. Smith, and C. Phoenix, Qual Health Res, 2015. 25(1): p. 76-86.
Summary: Explored how surfing in natural environments impacted UK combat veterans with PTSD. Participants described. Introduces the concept of the “blue gym” and highlights nature-based physical activity as a promising intervention for veteran wellbeing.

Title: Effectiveness of surfing on psychological health in military members: a systematic review.
Author/Source: González-Devesa, D., et al., BMJ Mil Health, 2024.
Summary: Analysed seven studies on surf therapy for military personnel. Surfing was found to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and positive affect, though no significant effects were observed for pain. While surf therapy shows promise, the review concludes that its benefits are comparable to other forms of exercise and calls for more rigorous comparative studies to validate its unique therapeutic value.

Title: The effectiveness of the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic for veterans with probable posttraumatic stress disorder.
Author/Source: Walter, K.H., et al., Front Psychol, 2023. 14: p. 1207633.
Summary: Evaluated 74 U.S. veterans participating in a week-long adaptive sports clinic. The findings suggest short-term psychological benefits from adaptive sports, with a need for sustained engagement to maintain gains.

Title: Outdoor recreational activity experiences improve psychological wellbeing of military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder: Positive findings from a pilot study and a randomised controlled trial.
Author/Source: Wheeler, M., et al., PLoS One, 2020. 15(11): p. e0241763.
Summary: Demonstrated that brief group-based outdoor activities—such as angling, equine care, and falconry—significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and stress among UK veterans. Improvements were sustained at follow-up and considered clinically significant. The results support outdoor recreation as a complementary intervention for veterans with PTSD, emphasising peer interaction and nature exposure as key therapeutic elements.

Title: Psychosocial outcomes of an inclusive adapted sport and adventurous training course for military personnel.
Author/Source: Carless, D., et al., Disabil Rehabil, 2013. 35(24): p. 2081-8.
Summary: Explored the psychosocial impact of a 5-day inclusive adapted sport and adventurous training course for military personnel with physical and/or psychological disabilities. The course helped participants recover lost aspects of identity and envision new possibilities for their future.

Title: Adaptive Sports for Disabled Veterans.
Author/Source: Greer, N., et al., 2019: Washington, DC.
Summary: Reviewed the benefits, harms, and participation barriers of adaptive sports for disabled veterans. It found that adaptive sports improve physical health, psychological wellbeing, and social reintegration. Emphasised the importance of integrating adaptive sports into rehabilitation systems and highlighted the role of national events like the Invictus Games in promoting recovery and community engagement.

Title: Nature adventure rehabilitation for combat-related posttraumatic chronic stress disorder: a randomized control trial.
Author/Source: Gelkopf, M., et al., Psychiatry Res, 2013. 209(3): p. 485-93.
Summary: Evaluated a year-long Nature Adventure Rehabilitation (NAR) program for veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD. Suggests that NAR works through behavioural activation, desensitisation, and gradual exposure, offering a promising supplemental intervention for chronic PTSD.

Title: The Impact of Ocean Therapy on Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Author/Source: Crawford, R.T., 2016, Grand Canyon University: Phoenix, AZ.
Summary: Assessed the effects of ocean therapy—primarily surfing—on 95 combat veterans with PTSD. Using repeated-measures ANOVA, the study found significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and depression and increased self-efficacy immediately after therapy and at 30-day follow-up.

Title: Effects of Outward Bound Experience as an adjunct to inpatient PTSD treatment of war veterans.
Author/Source: Hyer, L., et al., J Clin Psychol, 1996. 52(3): p. 263-78.
Summary: Evaluated the therapeutic impact of a 5-day Outward Bound Experience (OBE) for 219 veterans with chronic combat-related PTSD. Highlights the subjective value of experiential therapies even when objective outcomes are modest.