DRA Wellbeing Study: project closure report
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is a veteran-led, not-for-profit organisation. DRA brings hope and relief to communities devastated by disasters, helping people in their worst days.
DRA is present in every state and territory, ensuring continuous capacity to assist Australian communities when they need it most. Between and during disaster response operations, DRA engages its volunteers across Australia by providing additional benefits, such as continued professional development, training, employment opportunities, community service projects and social events.
The DRA Wellbeing Study is an independent scientific study that investigates whether service in DRA - by being part of a volunteer program that taps into the specific skillsets and qualities that veterans, first responders and other civilian volunteers can bring to aiding in disaster relief work - can lead to psychological and psychosocial health benefits for the volunteers.
This report summarises the results from the DRA Wellbeing Study, and provides:
- A literature review of veteran-specific and general literature on mental health and wellbeing, resulting in a proposed model of wellbeing that describes how volunteering for DRA impacts member mental health.
- Qualitative data validating the DRA Wellbeing model, describing the longer term impact that volunteering for DRA has on volunteers, their mental health and their life in general.
- A baseline profile of study participants
- A description of overall longer-term benefits participants noted through survey responses.
- Data on the immediate impact that participating in disaster relief deployments has on mental health outcomes.
- Data on the impact of volunteering using quarterly surveys over a 12 month period.
- A conclusion and implications section.
