Category: Veteran’s Health & Wellness

Posted on

Video Games as a Lifeline: Supporting Veteran Mental Health

How Video Games Are Becoming a Lifeline for Veterans’ Mental Health

For years, video games have been a source of entertainment, but for many veterans, they are becoming much more—a vital tool for mental health support. While video games often face scrutiny for their potential negative effects, research is now shining a light on their unexpected benefits, especially within the veteran community.

Dr. Michelle Colder Carras, a public health expert at Johns Hopkins University, has been studying how online gaming communities can provide critical mental health support to veterans. Her research reveals how veterans are using video games not just to escape their troubles, but also to build meaningful peer support networks that help them through some of life’s toughest moments​.

How Video Games Support Veterans’ Mental Health

For veterans, adjusting to civilian life can be challenging. Many deal with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. Dr. Carras’ research points to the fact that online communities formed around video games can offer a unique space for veterans to connect with others who share similar experiences.

One example is Stack Up, an organization founded by U.S. Army Captain Stephen Machuga. After returning from service in Iraq, Machuga found solace in video games, which helped distract him from the anxiety he was feeling. He founded Stack Up to bring the benefits of gaming to other veterans, providing them with a sense of community and purpose​.

The Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP): A Peer-Driven Solution

What started as a way to share the joy of gaming evolved into a much-needed mental health intervention. In 2018, members of Stack Up launched the Stack Up Overwatch Program (StOP), a peer-based crisis support program for veterans and active-duty military members. StOP provides 24/7 mental health and crisis intervention services, facilitated entirely by trained peers​.

The volunteers—many of whom have their own experiences with PTSD, depression, or anxiety—undergo nearly 40 hours of training to help their peers. These peer supporters offer a listening ear, help veterans access traditional mental health care, and provide crucial crisis counseling. The StOP program has been instrumental in helping veterans feel less alone during moments of distress​.

Research Shows the Effectiveness of Gaming Communities

Dr. Carras and her team conducted an in-depth evaluation of the StOP program, analyzing more than 180,000 chat messages and surveys. Their findings? Gaming communities like Stack Up provide veterans with meaningful, anonymous, and accessible peer support. Veterans who participated in StOP reported reduced anxiety, improved ability to cope, and relief from the symptoms that brought them to the platform in the first place​.

In fact, most participants received responses to their posts within five minutes, offering immediate support during moments of crisis. These online interactions not only helped veterans in need but also benefited the volunteers themselves, who found support and camaraderie among their peers​https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/supporting-veteran-mental-health-through-video-games

Moving Forward: Expanding the Benefits of Gaming for Mental Health

Dr. Carras believes that the success of the StOP program offers valuable insights for the future of mental health support. By leveraging peer-based interventions, online communities can help bridge the gap in mental health care, especially for veterans who may be reluctant to seek traditional therapy.

As gaming continues to evolve, so does its potential for fostering mental health support. Dr. Carras and her colleagues are now working with developers like Bohemia Interactive Studio, creators of the military simulator Arma Reforger, to explore new ways to integrate mental health awareness into gaming events​.

Conclusion: The Unexpected Power of Video Games

What started as a hobby has turned into a lifeline for many veterans. Through gaming communities like Stack Up, veterans are finding a safe space to share their struggles and get the support they need. The success of programs like StOP demonstrates the potential of video games as a platform for peer-based mental health intervention—an innovation that could reshape how we approach veteran mental health care in the future.

To learn more about the benefits of video games for veteran mental health, visit Johns Hopkins University and explore Dr. Carras’ groundbreaking research​

This blog post is based on research from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, originally published in their article titled Supporting Veteran Mental Health through Video Games​.

 

4o
Posted on

How Veterans Use Art Therapy to Overcome PTSD and Heal

Art as Therapy: A Path to Healing for Veterans

Art has long been known for its therapeutic benefits, and for many veterans, it has become a vital tool in managing both physical and mental health challenges. Veterans like Eer Jolson, a Navy veteran, have found solace and healing in carving and painting. For Eer, art became more than just a hobby—it was a way to cope with the stress and pain of recovery from surgery. As he told KCCI News in Iowa, “I get in a zone, and I forget about everything going on. It really helps me to reduce the pain that I deal with.”

The Power of Art for PTSD and Mental Health

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about 7% of veterans struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, for veterans who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, that number rises to 29%. Veterans with PTSD often deal with extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, and depression.

For these veterans, art offers a way to break through the mental barriers created by trauma. Theresa Johnson, a recreational therapist, works with veterans using art as a tool for self-expression and healing. She explains that completing art projects, even something as simple as a painting or carving, gives veterans a sense of accomplishment and boosts their self-esteem.

A Veteran’s Testimony: Art as a Coping Mechanism

Veteran Wendy Cornelius is another example of someone who has benefited from art therapy. She shares how art helps her cope with anxiety and depression. “When I start to feel that, I just get into doodling or painting, and pretty soon, two hours have passed. I don’t have that burning feeling in the pit of my stomach, and my mind quits racing.” For Wendy, art offers not only an escape but also a way to manage her emotions and calm her mind.


The Broader Impact of Art Therapy

Art is subjective, and its beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. For these veterans, however, the real beauty lies in the process of creation and the sense of peace that comes with it. Veterans who engage in art therapy often find that it helps them work through their pain—whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional.

By using art, veterans are reclaiming their sense of self, healing from trauma, and learning new ways to cope with the challenges they face. Programs that incorporate art therapy offer a valuable outlet for veterans struggling with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, allowing them to express their emotions in a non-verbal way that can be deeply healing.

Conclusion: Finding Healing Through Creativity

The journey of recovery is different for every veteran, but art has proven to be a powerful tool in that process. Whether it’s carving, painting, or doodling, veterans like Eer and Wendy are finding new ways to manage their mental health and regain a sense of control over their lives. As they create, they heal.

For more information on how art therapy is helping veterans or to watch the full story, check out the Inside Edition Digital video.