Veterans helping veterans: Peer-led program shows promise in recovery

Preliminary findings from the pilot study led by GMR in partnership with the Department of Veterans' Affairs, suggest that a peer-led mental health program for Australian Defence Force (ADF) veterans is both feasible and acceptable, offering new opportunities to expand support for those living with trauma and related challenges.

The study evaluated the delivery of Seeking Safety, an internationally recognised, evidence-based program designed to help people develop safe coping skills for trauma, and addiction.

While the program has been used extensively around the world, this was the first Australian study to examine whether it could be successfully implemented and delivered by trained ADF veteran peer workers within a veteran mental health service.

The pilot was conducted within Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling clinical settings and involved veteran clients, peer workers and clinicians across sites in Queensland and South Australia.

Participants took part in an eight-week group program focused on practical strategies for managing trauma, building resilience and strengthening wellbeing.

GMR CEO, Miriam Kent said the findings highlight the important role peer workers can play in supporting veteran recovery.
"Veterans often feel most understood by people who have walked a similar path. This study showed that when peer workers, when provided with the right training, supervision and support, can successfully deliver a structured trauma-specific intervention while creating a safe and relatable environment for participants."

Open Arms staff completed specialised training and received ongoing supervision to ensure the program was delivered consistently and safely. The study found peer worker participants could successfully deliver the program as intended, following the structured approach that underpins Seeking Safety.

Both Open Arms staff and veterans responded positively to the program. Participants valued the structure of the sessions, the practical strategies provided, and the opportunity to learn alongside others with shared experiences.

Staff reported that the inclusion of lived experience helped build trust, strengthen group connection and encourage engagement.

While the pilot involved a relatively small number of participants, early findings were encouraging. Researchers observed a pattern of improvements across psychosocial measures assessed, particularly in post-traumatic stress symptoms, and substance use.

Importantly, the study also found the model to be cost-effective, suggesting peer-led programs may help expand access to support while easing workforce pressures within veteran mental health services.

The findings provide an important foundation for larger-scale research and future implementation of peer-led trauma programs across Australia.

"Peer workers bring a unique combination of credibility, empathy and hope," Mrs Kent said.

"These findings suggest peer-led programs like Seeking Safety have the potential to become an important part of a broader, recovery-oriented approach to veteran mental health care."

The study, Peer-led Seeking Safety: Translating an evidence-based practice model for veterans' support organisations, was funded by the Australian Government Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Disclaimer: Please note that the outcomes, resources, manuals, and documents produced as part of the Peer-Led Seeking Safety study are relevant to an Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling setting and may not translate to other contexts.

Read the full published paper here.

Read more about our Veteran Health Research here.