Hope For the Warriors uses Dungeons & Dragons as a therapeutic tool

Dungeon & Dragons Hope for the warriors

The national nonprofit has organized weekly matches that have helped veterans cope with stress.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope For The Warriors – a non-profit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families – has been using Dungeons & Dragons as a rehabilitative tool for veterans.

Two cohorts of more than a dozen veterans have been playing Dungeons & Dragons remotely in weekly sessions for more than a year, totaling over 108 hours of play between them. The introduction of Dungeons & Dragons in Hope’s portfolio of programs couldn’t have come at a better moment when the United States became COVID-locked.

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A simple game that has become a great help to veterans

Augustine Monroe of Hope For The Warriors and volunteer Thomas McIntire, who conceived and implemented the program for the group, oversee the weekly games.

Not only has it been my connection to my veteran friends these past several months, but it has essentially been the only social activity in my life for some time as it’s been tough to leave the house among COVID concerns and having young children at home. I think it’s fair to say our entire party looks forward to each session eagerly. I can’t think of many activities better for building relationship than D&D. It’s definitely something more charities and veterans outreach groups should pursue.

Hope’s Dungeons & Dragons games provide more than simply a few hours of entertainment for game night. In between scheduled competitions, participants have formed chat groups to discuss the game and other topics.

Hope For The Warriors intends to keep the Dungeons & Dragons program running for a long time. Following Dungeons & Dragons‘ success, the foundation’s team is looking for video games to employ as a therapeutic aid for other gamers.

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