Many veterans feel alone and face mental health challenges after leaving the military, no matter their role. Increasingly, they are finding real support through video games and the communities that form around them.
Chris Franz spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He has combat PTSD and lost his brother in Iraq, making him a Gold Star family member. After leaving the military, Franz used gaming and online veteran groups to help with his mental health. Online teams and Discord servers gave him routine and support that he sometimes could not find in official programs.
David Holder had a different experience. He served eight years in the Army, all in garrison, before being medically discharged. On a Stack Up stream, he said he needed connection after leaving the service. Gaming communities helped him stay in touch with other veterans as he adjusted to civilian life.
Some organizations have made this informal support more structured. Stack Up sends gaming supply boxes to deployed units and veterans, organizes trips to gaming events, and runs a 24/7 peer-support channel called the Overwatch program. Regiment, one of the largest veteran gaming groups, helps reduce isolation through Discord servers, regular events, and direct peer support. Both groups are active on Twitch and Discord, where veterans play together and support each other.
Franz, Holder, and others say there are limits. Gaming equipment can be expensive, some games can make symptoms worse, and gaming can lead to more isolation if it replaces real-life connections. Still, for veterans facing combat trauma, the loss of a sibling in service, or a medical discharge, these online spaces offer something many say is hard to find anywhere else: people who understand what service means and are ready to connect.
As more veterans join these communities, gaming is becoming another way to fight isolation and support mental health after leaving the military.
You can also watch the short video version of this story on The Gamelag Journal or listen to the audio version on the Solo Mode podcast. The video includes interview clips with Chris Franz and footage of David Holder, while the podcast episode presents the full piece in audio form.
Video: https://youtu.be/SfKcR2MOBK8?si=UKrQnC6nNCCzHQgi
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5QvrrQBYiySOMJf9z3Lnrs?si=551f4329766b4b3c