Adjunct Activities For Mental Health Improvement For Veterans

The disruptive and at times traumatic nature of military service can create mental health issues among veterans. Wounded, injured or ill personnel, even if their physical and psychological rehabilitation goes well, can experience an acute loss of purpose and structure that is provided during their military service, especially post-discharge. It is also increasingly recognised that contemporary veterans have unique requirements, and in this context, military personnel often find their traditional medical and psychological treatments are insufficient to address their needs. Fortunately, there is growing evidence that a range of exercises, such as physical activity as well as animal- and art-based activities can serve as worthwhile adjuncts to more familiar programs of rehabilitation and reintegration. There is growing evidence that these activities reduce anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms - all of which are relevant to military personnel. The theoretical basis concerning symptom reduction includes behavioural, cognitive and neurophysiological theories. Tests of these theories may result in enhanced treatment. This paper will describe these adjunct activities and how they are being implemented with Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, with particular focus on the evidence and theories surrounding art-based endeavours as an adjunct to established therapies.