
Rolling for Recovery
Why Gaming Helps Veterans Mental Health
Victor Mitchell(Author)
Victor Mitchell (Publisher)
Published on 7. April 2026
Book
Hardback
126 pages
979-8-9952025-2-3 (ISBN)
Description
Rolling for Recovery: Why Gaming Helps with Veterans' Mental Health Challenges
By Victor Mitchell | Navy Veteran | Mental Health Advocate
What if the most powerful tool for Veterans' mental health wasn't in a clinic - but at a gaming table?
Written by a Navy Veteran with over 20 years of hands-on experience, Rolling for Recovery makes the evidence-based case that gaming from Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer 40K to Call of Duty and World of Warcraft is a legitimate, proven tool for addressing PTSD, depression, social anxiety, anger management, and the profound isolation that follows military service.
This is not theory. This is lived experience backed by results.
Victor Mitchell has worked directly with tens of thousands of Veterans including through the Re.V.E.A.L. program at the Orlando VA Medical Center using tabletop role-playing games, strategy games, and online gaming to rebuild community, restore purpose, and reignite the will to heal.
Inside this book you will find:A deep, authentic look at Veteran culture written by a Veteran, for those who want to truly understand it
A clear explanation of what causes the mental health descent after military service
The science and story behind why gaming works as a therapeutic tool for Veterans with PTSD, depression, and social isolation
The Transformative Story Arc Guidance (TSAG) framework a structured approach to using gaming for mental health recovery
A breakdown of TTRPGs, strategy games, and online platforms and how each can be used therapeutically
Real campaign examples and story arcs including a full 5-session D&D campaign (Shields of the Forgotten) with a companion Clinical Facilitator's Guide for use in VA and mental health settings
Guidance for Game Masters, clinicians, and family members who want to support Veterans through gaming
Nearly 60% of Veterans used some form of gaming during their service. This book shows you how to turn that common ground into a bridge to healing.
Whether you are a mental health professional, a VA clinician, a fellow Veteran, a family member, a game master, or simply someone who believes in the power of play - Rolling for Recovery gives you the framework, the tools, and the heart to make a difference.
22 Veterans die by suicide every day. Gaming won't solve everything. But it can be the reason someone shows up.
More details
Language
English
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
345 gr
ISBN-13
979-8-9952025-2-3 (9798995202523)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification