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Wellbeing study objective
The Wellbeing Study was commissioned by Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) to investigate whether service in DRA can lead to improved mental health and wellbeing.
The Study was funded by a Movember Foundation research grant and led by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
Latest Media & Updates
DRA Project Wellbeing Study Final Report Launch
Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Evans, was joined by Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Nick Kaldas, to address the findings of the Wellbeing Study.
The Journey From Injury to Wellbeing
Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Evans, speaking about the journey from injury to wellbeing at DRA at the Frontline Mental Health Conference.
How Volunteering Supports Wellbeing
In partnership with the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Movember, the wellbeing study proves the benefits of volunteering.
Veterans Find Purpose Through Volunteering
Sky News coverage describing the wellbeing study and how volunteering for Disaster Relief Australia has helped the transition of veterans to civilian life.
Improving Mental Health Through Volunteering
ABC News coverage describing how Veterans struggling with their mental health have found new purpose and community through volunteering with DRA.
Key Highlights
DRA has witnessed the power that helping others in their time of need has on volunteer wellbeing. Although DRA was aware of this, before the Wellbeing Study, there was no evidence to fully explain how service in DRA makes sick people better. The Wellbeing Study provides scientific proof that:
The data illustrates that:
- DRA volunteers, on average, show significant improvements in most mental health outcomes. These effects are sustained over the longer-term.
- Volunteering with DRA had the greatest impact on vulnerable veterans. It made them feel useful and regain a sense of purpose, often when they felt they had few options left.
- Active volunteering – being physically active and helping others in times of need
- Connection – socialising with like-minded people and connecting to positive role models.
- Development – formal and informal upskilling leading to improved self-worth.
- Recognition – experiences that facilitate reinforcement or positive reframing of self-regard.
- Supportive conversations – detecting early warning signs by wellbeing officers and volunteers with high wellbeing literacy.
- The way in which service in DRA leads to improved mental health outcomes and a lower risk of suicide is distinct from mainstay interventions such as psychological therapy.
- DRA activities map primarily onto drivers of wellbeing that serve to protect people from developing serious illness and behaviours (such as suicide), as well as aiding in recovery.
- By focusing on disaster relief, veterans were able to find a sense of pride in their military service (often over-coming feelings of guilt and shame). This allowed them to reframe military service in a positive light while performing a national good.
Wellbeing Study Final Report
Read the final report released in February 2024, prepared by independent research partner by SAMRHI.
Read the Full Report