Mindfulness & Therapeutic Wellbeing Activities for Veterans (Evidence-Based Guide for DVA-Aligned Support)

Supporting Veteran Mental Health Through Structured, Evidence-Based Activities

Australian veterans experience higher rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and adjustment challenges compared to the general population (AIHW, 2023; DVA Mental Health Strategy).

While clinical therapy remains essential, structured therapeutic activities that promote regulation, reflection and nervous system calming play a powerful complementary role.

ColourRise was developed as a structured mindfulness-based colouring and guided reflection resource aligned with trauma-informed principles - suitable for veterans in:

• DVA-supported treatment programs
• Ex-service organisations
• Rehabilitation settings
• Community veteran hubs
• Residential care

Why Veterans Benefit from Structured Mindfulness Activities

Many veterans live with:

• Hyperarousal and nervous system dysregulation
• Emotional numbing
• Sleep disturbance
• Intrusive thoughts
• Adjustment challenges post-service

Research shows that non-verbal, sensory-based, repetitive creative activities can:

• Reduce physiological stress markers
• Improve emotional regulation
• Support parasympathetic activation
• Improve mood and sense of control

Supporting Evidence

Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) reduce PTSD symptoms and depression in veterans (Polusny et al., JAMA, 2015).

• Creative arts therapies demonstrate reductions in trauma symptoms and improved emotional expression (Campbell et al., 2016).
• Repetitive colouring activities reduce anxiety and induce meditative states (Van der Vennet & Serice, 2012).
• Sensory-focused regulation supports trauma recovery (Porges, Polyvagal Theory, 2011).

ColourRise integrates these evidence streams into a structured weekly program.

Trauma-Informed Design Principles Used in ColourRise

ColourRise is intentionally designed with:

✔ Predictable structure (reduces cognitive load)
✔ Gentle motivational phrasing
✔ Non-triggering imagery
✔ No performance pressure
✔ Repetition for nervous system regulation
✔ Self-paced engagement

This aligns with trauma-informed care frameworks adopted across DVA and veteran support services.

Alignment with Veteran Affairs (DVA) Mental Health Priorities

The Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs prioritises:

• Early intervention
• Whole-person wellbeing
• Non-pharmacological supports
• Community-based engagement
• Recovery-oriented models

ColourRise supports these priorities by offering:

• A low-cost adjunct support tool
• A structured 50-week engagement model
• Independent or facilitated use
• Suitable integration into DVA-funded programs

It is not a replacement for clinical care, but a complementary wellbeing resource.

How ColourRise Can Be Used in Veteran Settings

1. Individual Home-Based Support

Veterans can use ColourRise independently as part of a weekly reflection routine.

2. Facilitated Group Sessions

Suitable for:

• Veteran wellbeing hubs
• RSL community programs
• Residential veteran accommodation
• Peer-support groups

3. Clinical Adjunct Resource

Psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists may use pages to:

• Introduce grounding exercises
• Support session reflection
• Encourage between-session regulation practice

The Role of Creative Regulation in PTSD Recovery

Trauma impacts the nervous system before cognition.
Activities that engage:

• Visual focus
• Repetitive hand movement
• Gentle colour exposure
• Structured prompts

support bottom-up regulation.

Research in trauma recovery increasingly recognises:

• Body-based regulation
• Sensory grounding
• Creative engagement
• Safe structured repetition

as key components of recovery models (van der Kolk, 2014).

ColourRise operates in this therapeutic space.

Why Structured Matters

Unstructured colouring books may provide relaxation.

ColourRise differs because it:

• Follows a progressive weekly format
• Combines imagery with therapeutic language
• Integrates mindful breathing prompts
• Encourages gentle self-reflection
• Is designed for long-term engagement

Structure increases compliance, consistency and psychological safety.

Suitable for DVA-Aligned and Veteran-Focused Organisations

ColourRise may be appropriate for:

• DVA-funded community programs
• Veteran health providers
• Ex-service organisations
• Rehabilitation coordinators
• Mental health clinicians
• Residential aged care with veteran residents

Bulk licensing and digital access options available.

Frequently Asked Questions (Veteran-Specific)

Is ColourRise clinically approved?
ColourRise is not a clinical treatment. It is an evidence-informed wellbeing resource designed to complement therapy.

Can this be funded under DVA programs?
Suitability depends on the individual program structure. It may align with broader psychosocial and wellbeing supports.

Is it trauma-safe?
Imagery and phrasing are designed to avoid triggering themes and promote calm, regulation and agency.

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). Mental health of Australian veterans.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (2023). Veteran Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Polusny, M. A., et al. (2015). Mindfulness-based stress reduction for posttraumatic stress disorder among veterans. JAMA.

Campbell, M., et al. (2016). Creative arts therapy for PTSD.

Van der Vennet, R., & Serice, S. (2012). Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy Journal.

Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory.

van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score.

For more information and or family support packages please visit: https://www.dva.gov.au/