The Benefits of Citizen Science for Veterans
Veterans face distinct challenges during the years that follow military service. In a recent survey, Veterans of Foreign Wars, an organization dedicated to serving active personnel and Veterans, determined some of the challenges they are facing today. After surveying one thousand military Veterans, VFW found that finding a job, parting ways with friends in the military, finding a purposeful career, and handling the absence of familiar routine were among the most pressing issues affecting US Veterans.[1] As they try to move forward, the loss of social connection with their peers, the lack of purpose, and the absence of routine all negatively impact their well-being.
What can make these trials even harder to overcome are the mental health conditions a striking majority of US Veterans face every day. Mental Health First Aid, an educational course offered in connection with The National Council for Mental Well-being, states…
“Thirty percent of active duty and reserve military personnel deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan have a mental health condition requiring treatment – approximately 730,000 men and women, with many experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression. Sadly, less than 50 percent of returning Veterans in need receive any mental health treatment. The Veterans Administration reports that approximately 20 Veterans die by suicide every day.”[2]
Nearly 1/3 of Veterans who fought in the Middle East are struggling with issues such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, bipolar-disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. Another issue raised here is the stigma Veterans often associate with traditional mental health counseling. Many Veterans doubt the efficacy of these programs, and thus they do not seek treatment that may help them overcome the challenges identified above by the VFW. Still more alarming is the suicide rate of Veterans. In an article published in USA Today in September of 2023, George Petras found upwards of 6,000 Veterans commit suicide every year, with those aged 18-34 having the highest rate of suicide.[3] In 2018, The Department of Veterans Affairs released its 10-year strategic plan detailing their approach to addressing veteran suicide. The DVA is making concentrated efforts to “reach beyond the health care setting…and empower actors to prevent Veteran suicide in other sectors.”[4] Among the categories mentioned are local, state, and federal government agencies, nonprofits, and community service organizations. As a nonprofit partnering with national parks and other government agencies to offer engaging citizen science service opportunities, Soldiers2Scientists is well positioned to join the fight to help Veterans with the challenges they face.
Research studies have been conducted to establish whether outdoor recreation provides benefits to Veterans. In a recent study, researchers from the University of Utah partnered with The Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors program to offer Veterans a 3-day nature experience. Dr. Joanna Bettman Schaefer, the leader of the study, commented on its results.
“Nature-based interventions show important promise as places in which Veterans can receive peer support, as well as potentially experience mental health symptom reduction…Nature-based programs are wonderful alternatives to traditional treatment environments for Veterans who want to feel better but may have internalized stigma related to mental treatment in traditional clinic settings.”[5]
By providing an alternative to traditional mental health treatments, nature-based recreation offers a new approach to help Veterans face life’s challenges. In another study entitled “The effect of time outdoors on Veterans receiving treatment for PTSD,” Bettman and other researchers had the following conclusion:
“Providers working with Veterans who have PTSD should consider prescribing nature exposure as an adjunct to traditional mental health treatment because research, including the current study, indicates benefits of nature exposure for Veterans.”[6]
Veterans suffering from mental illness and other service-related injuries are excellent candidates for nature-based recreation, and this study encourages mental health providers to consider this form of recreation for their patients.
In 2017, The National Parks Conservation Association (NCPA) released an article entitled “5 Inspirational Stories from the Parks,” detailing how time spent in our nation’s national parks can bring out the best in people. One of the stories centered on Jose Rodriguez, a veteran who struggled with his post-deployment transition. He was battling with PTSD and substance abuse issues, but he was able to find meaning by contributing to the efforts of The NPCA in the South Florida Everglades.
“Working with NPCA made sense for Rodriguez. A native of Homestead in South Florida, he had grown up right near Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. He missed being outdoors, and he wanted to keep serving. During his six-month stint, he helped rebuild camping platforms in Everglades, enlisting his brother along the way, and cleared brush in Dry Tortugas National Park. In the process, he met with Park Service construction managers and engineers, making connections that will be valuable to his new career. He is now going to school full-time to pursue a degree in construction management and plans to continue volunteering in national parks whenever the occasion presents itself. He credits his work in parks with helping him find balance and a renewed focus.”[7]
Rodriguez not only contributed to conservation efforts, but he also moved forward in his career. Finding a sense of purpose proves to be one of the most important factors for Veterans trying to move forward.
In our efforts to partner with national parks and sentinel landscapes, Soldiers2Scientists has existing outdoor recreation activities ready to go for Veterans who are interested, notably our expedition at Great Basin National Park in Nevada. Veterans stand to benefit from the exercise and time outdoors, and they will find purpose and meaning as their preexisting skills and expertise are tapped in the pursuit of citizen science. These activities provide Veterans with a platform to leverage their unique perspectives and insights. Their firsthand experiences can offer valuable context and practical knowledge, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and informed decision-making in scientific endeavors. This collaborative approach enriches scientific research and creates a bridge between a veteran’s military background and civilian scientific pursuits. Veterans seeking employment may find this foray into science a great platform to learn more about potential jobs and careers while experiencing the stated benefits of nature-based recreation. Soldiers2Scientists is attempting to address some of the challenges experienced by studies which offered outdoor recreation, namely consistency. While some of our trips will offer two-week experiences, our work with conservation organizations across the United States has the promise of offering consistent citizen science projects that may be completed in a community over a day, a weekend, or even a series of months. The experience of Veterans who participate in these activities may provide valuable data for those trying to identify the long-term benefits of outdoor recreation and citizen science.
Our research into Veterans’ affairs continues each day. We hope that our efforts will provide meaningful opportunities for Veterans seeking new avenues to improve their wellbeing. As they participate, we hope they will enjoy the established benefits of nature-based recreation while making significant contributions to citizen science.
Works Cited
[1] Veterans Day News: New Survey Finds Top Challenges Facing Veterans in the Transition to Civilian Life." Veterans of Foreign Wars. Veterans of Foreign Wars, November 9, 2023. https://www.vfw.org/media-and-events/latest-releases/archives/2023/11/veterans-day-news-new-survey-finds-top-challenges-facing-veterans-in-the-transition-to-civilian-life.
[2] "Why Mental Health First Aid for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families?" Mental Health First Aid. National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Accessed April 3, 2024. https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/veterans-military/.
[3] George Petras, “Veteran Suicide Rate Is down, but Nearly 17 Soldiers Take Their Own Lives Every Day,” USA Today, September 28, 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/graphics/2023/09/21/veteran-suicide-rate-2023-decreases/70909134007/.
[4] Clancy, Carolyn M. M.D., and David Caroll Ph.D. "National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide 2018–2028." Department of Veterans Affairs. Department of Veteran Affairs, Accessed April 2, 2024. https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/Office-of-Mental-Health-and-Suicide-Prevention-National-Strategy-for-Preventing-Veterans-Suicide.pdf.
[5] Brickey, Ian. "New Study: Outdoor Experiences Improve Veterans’ Mental Health." Sierra Club. Sierra Club, January 24, 2022. https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2022/01/new-study-outdoor-experiences-improve-veterans-mental-health.
[6} Bettman, Joanna E., Kort C. Prince, Kamala Ganesh, Kelsi F. Rugo, AnnaBelle O. Bryan, Craig J. Bryan, David C. Rozek, and Feea R. Leifker. "The Effect of Time Outdoors on Veterans Receiving Treatment for PTSD." Journal of Clinical Psychology 77, no. 9 (2021): 2041-2056. Accessed April 1, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8405544/.
[7] Brulliard, Nicholas. "5 Inspirational Stories from the Parks." National Parks Conservation Association. National Parks Conservation Association, January 4, 2017. https://www.npca.org/articles/1434-5-inspirational-stories-from-the-parks