Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
Tracks
Monarch - In-Person Only
| Monday, March 3, 2025 |
| 1:30 PM - 1:50 PM |
| Monarch Room |
Overview
James Kolozsi, ADF Veteran and Ben Knowles, Adventure Works Australia
Presenter
Ben Knowles
Co-director & Clinical Supervisor
Adventure Works Australia
Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
Presentation Overview
Outdoor and adventure therapy practices shift the dial on meaningful provision of support for frontline workers.
Successfully navigating life as a frontline worker is nothing short of heroic. Maintaining the capacity to hold and nurture meaningful relationships with friends and family alongside the persistent and impactful stressors of the workplace requires highly flexible and attuned physical, mental, and emotional capacity. Yet, being exposed to significant, persistent workplace stressors erodes this very same capacity, sometimes leading to a sense of isolation and chronic ill-health.
Over recent years, in partnership with both Victoria Police and The Office for Veterans, we have been piloting the use of a tailored Outdoor Adventure Therapy model to support the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers, including serving police officers and veterans transitioning from active service to civilian life. The model - currently in its third iteration - invites Veterans to join a group based outdoor adventure program that combines the health-giving benefits of time spent outdoors, healthy physical adventures, engaging social activity, and a supportive psychological environment. Through this a culture is established in which participants can share stories and talk about mental health safely without stigma and amongst peers.
While the intention and shift towards thriving on the frontlines is essential, the majority of supports currently offered to frontline workers are based on deficit models. Institutionalised wellbeing supports and EAP programs are often viewed with scepticism by those who need them most. Addressing this, Outdoor Adventure Therapy offers an exciting, evidence-informed option within which participants can share, learn and grow.
From participants:
“I am not on my own”
“Easy connections with the group - vulnerable, fun, encouraging.”
“Totally exceeded my expectations, I really enjoyed it.”
Successfully navigating life as a frontline worker is nothing short of heroic. Maintaining the capacity to hold and nurture meaningful relationships with friends and family alongside the persistent and impactful stressors of the workplace requires highly flexible and attuned physical, mental, and emotional capacity. Yet, being exposed to significant, persistent workplace stressors erodes this very same capacity, sometimes leading to a sense of isolation and chronic ill-health.
Over recent years, in partnership with both Victoria Police and The Office for Veterans, we have been piloting the use of a tailored Outdoor Adventure Therapy model to support the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers, including serving police officers and veterans transitioning from active service to civilian life. The model - currently in its third iteration - invites Veterans to join a group based outdoor adventure program that combines the health-giving benefits of time spent outdoors, healthy physical adventures, engaging social activity, and a supportive psychological environment. Through this a culture is established in which participants can share stories and talk about mental health safely without stigma and amongst peers.
While the intention and shift towards thriving on the frontlines is essential, the majority of supports currently offered to frontline workers are based on deficit models. Institutionalised wellbeing supports and EAP programs are often viewed with scepticism by those who need them most. Addressing this, Outdoor Adventure Therapy offers an exciting, evidence-informed option within which participants can share, learn and grow.
From participants:
“I am not on my own”
“Easy connections with the group - vulnerable, fun, encouraging.”
“Totally exceeded my expectations, I really enjoyed it.”
Biography
Ben works as a co-director and clinical supervisor at Adventure Works Australia, a small organisation that provides outdoor health services for individuals and groups. Alongside this Ben is completing a PhD in public health; was recently a guest editor of the Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education; is one of two Australian representatives on the Adventure Therapy International Committee (ATIC); and, is co-lead of the ATIC ethics and good practice working group. Ben was pivotal in establishing the Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy (now Outdoor Health Australia).
James Kolozsi
Director of Safety, Risk and Emergency Management, Western Health
ADF Veteran
Outdoor Adventure Therapy Practices Supporting Emergency Frontline Workers and Veterans
Presentation Overview
Outdoor and adventure therapy practices shift the dial on meaningful provision of support for frontline workers.
Successfully navigating life as a frontline worker is nothing short of heroic. Maintaining the capacity to hold and nurture meaningful relationships with friends and family alongside the persistent and impactful stressors of the workplace requires highly flexible and attuned physical, mental, and emotional capacity. Yet, being exposed to significant, persistent workplace stressors erodes this very same capacity, sometimes leading to a sense of isolation and chronic ill-health.
Over recent years, in partnership with both Victoria Police and The Office for Veterans, we have been piloting the use of a tailored Outdoor Adventure Therapy model to support the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers, including serving police officers and veterans transitioning from active service to civilian life. The model - currently in its third iteration - invites Veterans to join a group based outdoor adventure program that combines the health-giving benefits of time spent outdoors, healthy physical adventures, engaging social activity, and a supportive psychological environment. Through this a culture is established in which participants can share stories and talk about mental health safely without stigma and amongst peers.
While the intention and shift towards thriving on the frontlines is essential, the majority of supports currently offered to frontline workers are based on deficit models. Institutionalised wellbeing supports and EAP programs are often viewed with scepticism by those who need them most. Addressing this, Outdoor Adventure Therapy offers an exciting, evidence-informed option within which participants can share, learn and grow.
Reviews from participants:
“I am not on my own”
“Easy connections with the group - vulnerable, fun, encouraging.”
“Totally exceeded my expectations, I really enjoyed it.”
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Other available therapeutic modalities. Evaluation of the Adventure Therapy programs identifies that participants value the option to find therapeutic modalities that are not traditionally CBT-based and are more aligned with their personal values and needs.
2. The capability of Outdoor Adventure Therapy to span the mental health approaches to Prevention, Early Intervention and Recovery and how it can be used to build strategies.
3. Learn why the therapeutic benefits we may already employ through outdoor adventure activities or trying something new, novel and different are so beneficial and impactful to those working the most challenging roles supporting our communities.
Successfully navigating life as a frontline worker is nothing short of heroic. Maintaining the capacity to hold and nurture meaningful relationships with friends and family alongside the persistent and impactful stressors of the workplace requires highly flexible and attuned physical, mental, and emotional capacity. Yet, being exposed to significant, persistent workplace stressors erodes this very same capacity, sometimes leading to a sense of isolation and chronic ill-health.
Over recent years, in partnership with both Victoria Police and The Office for Veterans, we have been piloting the use of a tailored Outdoor Adventure Therapy model to support the mental health and wellbeing of frontline workers, including serving police officers and veterans transitioning from active service to civilian life. The model - currently in its third iteration - invites Veterans to join a group based outdoor adventure program that combines the health-giving benefits of time spent outdoors, healthy physical adventures, engaging social activity, and a supportive psychological environment. Through this a culture is established in which participants can share stories and talk about mental health safely without stigma and amongst peers.
While the intention and shift towards thriving on the frontlines is essential, the majority of supports currently offered to frontline workers are based on deficit models. Institutionalised wellbeing supports and EAP programs are often viewed with scepticism by those who need them most. Addressing this, Outdoor Adventure Therapy offers an exciting, evidence-informed option within which participants can share, learn and grow.
Reviews from participants:
“I am not on my own”
“Easy connections with the group - vulnerable, fun, encouraging.”
“Totally exceeded my expectations, I really enjoyed it.”
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Other available therapeutic modalities. Evaluation of the Adventure Therapy programs identifies that participants value the option to find therapeutic modalities that are not traditionally CBT-based and are more aligned with their personal values and needs.
2. The capability of Outdoor Adventure Therapy to span the mental health approaches to Prevention, Early Intervention and Recovery and how it can be used to build strategies.
3. Learn why the therapeutic benefits we may already employ through outdoor adventure activities or trying something new, novel and different are so beneficial and impactful to those working the most challenging roles supporting our communities.
Biography
James is a well-regarded safety professional with experience in Defence, Outdoor Recreation, Oil and Gas, Emergency Services, and Health. He has developed his safety and leadership style from lived experiences in combat zones like East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as in high-risk industries. His diverse experience has heightened his awareness of maintaining a healthy headspace in complex environments, noting, "You don’t switch off when you clock off.” As an advocate for adventure therapy, James introduced a pilot program at Victoria Police in partnership with Adventure Works Australia and Geelong Adventure Specialists for high-risk mental health cohorts.
