New 'Veterans Get Outside Day' Aims to Combat PTSD and TBI with Nature Therapy

This resolution officially designates the second Saturday in June as "Veterans Get Outside Day." The goal is straightforward: to use the proven mental health benefits of nature to help veterans struggling with serious challenges like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI).

The Real-World Need: A Crisis of Mental Health

Let’s be real about why this is happening. The bill text highlights a grim reality: since 2000, hundreds of thousands of service members have been diagnosed with TBIs, and about 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans struggle with PTSD or depression. This mental health crisis is directly linked to the devastating suicide rate among veterans, which stood at about 17.6 deaths per day in 2022. The resolution is essentially saying that traditional methods aren't enough, and we need every tool available, including getting people outdoors.

Nature’s Prescription: How This Day Works

Science backs up the idea that nature is therapeutic. Being outside can lower depression risks, improve focus, and reduce feelings of isolation. This designation formalizes an outreach effort, leveraging these benefits. While veterans already get free entry to national parks, creating a specific "Veterans Get Outside Day" focuses attention and resources on this population. The idea is to create a specific, targeted push to get veterans dealing with TBI, PTSD, and anxiety to participate in outdoor events on this dedicated day, hoping to boost engagement and mental health outcomes.

Agency Team-Up: Making It Happen

The resolution doesn't just name a day; it encourages key federal departments to coordinate. Specifically, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Forest Service, and the Department of the Interior are encouraged to team up. They are asked to promote "Veterans Get Outside Day" right alongside the existing National Get Outdoors Day. For the average veteran, this means that outreach efforts—emails, announcements, local events—should be coordinated across the agencies, making it easier to find and participate in local activities that can genuinely help their mental well-being. Since this is a resolution, it’s not a mandate, but a strong encouragement, relying on these agencies to prioritize this important focus on veteran wellness.