Supporting Veteran Mental Health Through Archaeology
AVAR fosters mental health resilience through archaeology by providing a structured work environment, career development, and access to professional mental health support for veterans in the field.
How Hands-On Fieldwork Supports Mental Well-Being
Archaeology provides structure, purpose, and professional development—helping veterans build confidence and resilience.
AVAR was inspired by British archaeology-based veteran mental health programs, which have demonstrated that structured fieldwork can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Our own studies confirm that veterans who participate in our programs experience short-term improvements in mental well-being.
Our projects offer veterans a unique environment where teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on engagement create a sense of purpose and belonging. Through archaeology, veterans rediscover discipline, focus, and professional confidence, while working alongside peers who understand their experiences.
Building a Career That Supports Veteran Well-Being
The key to long-term mental health benefits is making archaeology a viable, sustainable career path for veterans.
While short-term projects can provide temporary relief from stress and anxiety, AVAR’s focus is on long-term solutions. We do this by:
Training veterans to professional standards, giving them employable skills in archaeology.
Providing structured, supportive work environments, recognizing the challenges of fieldwork.
Paying veterans for their contributions, ensuring financial sustainability.
Archaeology is physically demanding, involves travel, and requires intense focus—but AVAR’s structured approach ensures veterans have the training, mentorship, and career opportunities needed to succeed.
Breaking the Stigma: Mental Health Support for Archaeologists
Mental health challenges are not unique to veterans—archaeologists across the field face high-stress environments, long workdays, and extended time away from home. AVAR integrates mental health resources, peer support, and professional counseling into every project to ensure all team members can thrive in this demanding profession.
Professional Mental Health Support for AVAR Crews
AVAR integrates mental health support into every project, ensuring our veterans have access to the resources they need.
AVAR employs a Mental Health Clinician for community archaeology projects and offers telehealth support for veterans in commercial projects. Additionally, we provide Mental Health First Aid training, ensuring veterans have tools to support their own well-being and that of their peers.
We don’t do this because we believe veterans are “broken”—we do this because archaeology is an intense, demanding field, and all professionals benefit from mental health support. After nearly a decade of experience, we’ve found that civilian archaeologists face many of the same challenges our veterans do. By integrating mental health support into our work, we ensure every team member can thrive in this profession.
