Veterans Report Enhanced Openness to Mental Health Treatment Following Wilderness Therapy

Abstract

Many veterans struggle with their mental health, and wilderness therapies offer promising unconventional approaches that improve psychological symptoms. However, less is known about broader psychosocial benefits, such as post-trip attitudes toward treatment and mental health or the degree and longevity of related improvements in social connection, coping, and life skills. Our study investigated whether veterans who had undergone a 3-day wilderness therapy program during the preceding 2 years would report relatively high treatment-seeking willingness, sense of social connection, and improvement in and continued use of coping and life skills. Among 28 participants from the 2 prior years of the Huts for Vets wilderness therapy program, the veterans reported high openness to a range of further treatment options, including one-on-one therapy, group therapy, and therapies with other veterans. They also reported improved social connection and strong coping strategy continuance and benefits. Open-ended responses supported these findings, with veterans reporting increased feelings of camaraderie, improved confidence and self-perception, and help-seeking willingness. These results extend previous findings and suggest the potential for the spreading activation of wilderness therapy benefits for veterans.