Creative arts and healing among veterans: impacts of community-based photography workshops on veterans’ well-being and quality of life

Background: The Odyssey Project is a unique non-clinical participatory photography program for veterans. We evaluated the Odyssey Project’s impact on participants’ mental health, social connection, well-being, and quality of life and gathered insights into how the arts support veterans. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 Odyssey participants. Transcripts underwent rapid qualitative analysis, producing matrixed summaries and identifying themes across these summaries. Results: Veterans reported improved mental health, social relationships, belonging, perspectives on military service, sense of self, and self-acceptance. Veterans felt art was useful for processing and reconnecting with their emotions. Some participants offered suggestions for program improvement. Conclusion: Odyssey participants experienced positive impacts that had ripple effects through their lives and valued using the arts to tell their stories. The Odyssey Project sits in a “sweet spot” between clinical art therapy and other less immersive veterans’ community arts programs, making it appealing to veterans struggling with reintegration.