Peer Outdoor Support Therapy (POST) for Australian Contemporary Veterans: A Review of the Literature
Peer outdoor support therapy (POST) is one approach utilised in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom to address mental illness and distress amongst contemporary veterans. In the current paper several areas of veteran psychological therapeutic treatment are reviewed.
Current standard practice and research studies for therapist-led treatments from Australia are summarised and critiqued and placed within the literature context examining military and veteran unique needs and challenges to treatment including responsiveness, reluctance and retention.
Research review results regarding peer support interventions and outdoor therapy interventions for non-veteran and contemporary veteran populations are outlined, alongside an overview of known POST programs for veterans.
The implications of the reviewed literature and research are discussed, particularly the need for further research into the role outdoor peer support may play for the Australian veteran population alongside other veteran mental health services.
