Ian Brickey: (202) 675-6270, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This month, Sierra Club Military Outdoors and researchers at the University of Utah presented findings from a study on the effects of outdoors exposure and wilderness trips on veterans’ mental health. The study, which was led by Dr. Joanna Bettmann Schaefer of the University of Utah and Lt. Col. (ret.) Aaron Leonard of Sierra Club, found positive effects on mental health after wilderness experiences by veterans. In recent years, mental health has become an increasingly significant issue for veterans, with more than one-third of veterans who enter Veterans Affairs services receiving medical diagnoses related to mental health. The full study will be published in the Journal of Experiential Education in 2022.
*Advance copies of the executive summary are available upon request.
Lt. Col. (ret.) Aaron Leonard, Senior Campaign Representative for Sierra Club Military Outdoors, released the following statement:
"For many veterans, the transition from military service to life after service is difficult. Many bring trauma, some of it visible, but much of it invisible, home with them.
"This study conclusively proves what we’ve known anecdotally for a long time -- getting into nature improves mental health, especially for veterans. We hope these results lead to policy changes that make it easier for all veterans to find respite and healing in the outdoors."
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.