HARNESSING TABLETOP ROLE-PLAYING GAMES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN VETERANS, FIRST RESPONDERS, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), such as Dungeons & Dragons, offer a unique avenue for fostering social connections and stress relief among veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. Drawing from established research on community building and trauma recovery, this article explores how TTRPGs can promote emotional resilience and interpersonal bonds in a supportive environment. By emphasizing collaborative storytelling and shared experiences, these games align with the need for tribal-like communities to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The discussion highlights practical applications, safety considerations, and ties to organizations like Roll2Heal, which provides recreational TTRPG sessions to enhance well-being without formal therapy. Further exploration is encouraged to expand these benefits in community settings.

Members of the Roll2Heal Chapter in Mesquite, TX during session

INTRODUCTION

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) have evolved from recreational pastimes into powerful tools for building community and supporting mental health. For veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals—groups often exposed to high-stress environments—these games provide a structured yet imaginative space to engage socially and process experiences. Organizations like Roll2Heal embody this approach by creating safe communities where TTRPGs serve as recreational and therapeutic outlets to foster relationships and alleviate PTSD-related stress.

Inspired by research on TTRPGs in therapeutic contexts, this article examines their potential for these specific populations. It draws parallels to concepts in Sebastian Junger's Tribe, which argues that modern society's lack of communal bonds contributes to mental health challenges, particularly for those returning from service. By participating in TTRPGs, individuals can recreate a sense of tribe through collaborative adventures, promoting belonging and resilience. This aligns with Roll2Heal's mission to offer peer-led sessions that prioritize enjoyment and connection over clinical intervention.

HISTORY OF TTRPGs AND THEIR EVOLUTION

TTRPGs trace their roots to the 1970s, with Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) pioneering the genre by blending strategy, storytelling, and role-play. Initially a niche hobby, D&D gained mainstream appeal through media influences, creating a foundation for games like City of Mist that emphasize narrative depth. These games involve players creating characters and navigating scenarios under a game master's guidance, introducing elements of chance via dice rolls to simulate real-life unpredictability.

In community settings, TTRPGs have shifted from pure entertainment to supportive activities. For veterans and first responders, this evolution mirrors the communal rituals described in Tribe, where shared challenges build trust. Roll2Heal leverages this history by hosting in-person sessions that encourage participants to explore fantastical worlds, fostering the social engagement essential for mental health recovery.

THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS OF TTRPGs FOR TARGET POPULATIONS

TTRPGs offer multifaceted benefits for mental health, particularly in addressing PTSD, anxiety, and isolation common among veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. Through role-play, participants can externalize stressors in a low-stakes environment, practicing problem-solving and emotional regulation. Research indicates that such games enhance empathy, resilience, and social skills by simulating interpersonal dynamics.

Sebastian Junger's Tribe highlights how disconnection from community exacerbates PTSD, suggesting that group activities restore a sense of purpose. TTRPGs facilitate this by creating "shared pretensive realities," where players collaborate on narratives, mirroring tribal cooperation. In Roll2Heal's sessions, this translates to reduced stress through laughter, teamwork, and achievement, without requiring professional therapy credentials from facilitators.

Safety is paramount in these settings. Roll2Heal exclusively uses the Deck of Player Safety to establish boundaries, ensuring all participants feel secure. This tool allows for ongoing consent checks, aligning with the organization's peer-support model.

CASE EXAMPLES OF TTRPG APPLICATIONS

To illustrate TTRPGs' impact, consider adapted examples drawn from broader therapeutic literature. These hypothetical scenarios emphasize recreational use in community groups.

In one instance, a veteran struggling with PTSD-related nightmares joined a Roll2Heal D&D campaign. By embodying a resilient character facing fantastical threats, the participant practiced confronting fears collaboratively, reporting improved sleep and stronger bonds with peers. This echoes Tribe's emphasis on communal healing.

A first responder dealing with on-the-job trauma participated in a City of Mist session, where narrative elements allowed exploration of identity shifts post-incident. The group's supportive dynamic fostered trust, reducing isolation and aligning with Roll2Heal's goal of stress alleviation through play.

For a healthcare professional experiencing burnout, a TTRPG group provided a break from real-world pressures. Role-playing as a healer in a fantasy setting rebuilt a sense of agency, enhancing emotional growth in line with community-driven recovery models.

These examples demonstrate how TTRPGs, when facilitated recreationally, support mental health without formal diagnosis or treatment.

INTEGRATION WITH ROLL2HEAL'S COMMUNITY APPROACH

Roll2Heal stands out by providing veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals with accessible TTRPG sessions focused on recreation and peer support. The organization's blog at https://www.roll2heal.org/blog offers resources on starting campaigns and building inclusive groups, reinforcing the therapeutic potential of games like D&D.

Participants are encouraged to join the Roll2Heal Discord at https://discord.gg/q7HAsxb4Rt for ongoing discussions, game scheduling, and community events. This platform extends the tribal connections from Tribe, creating a virtual space for sharing experiences and reducing PTSD symptoms through sustained engagement.

While Roll2Heal members are not therapists, the emphasis on safety via the Deck of Player Safety ensures sessions remain positive and empowering.

CONCLUSION

TTRPGs represent a promising avenue for mental health support among veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals. By fostering social bonds and providing stress relief, these games align with Roll2Heal's mission and concepts from Tribe. Future community initiatives could expand access, solidifying TTRPGs as tools for resilience. Interested individuals are invited to explore Roll2Heal's resources and join the Discord community at https://discord.gg/q7HAsxb4Rt to experience these benefits firsthand.

REFERENCES

Junger, S. (2016). Tribe: On homecoming and belonging. Twelve.

Rosenblad, S. R., Wolford, T., Brennan, R. S., III, Darnell, J., Mabry, C., & Herrmann, A. (2025). Mastering your dragons: Using tabletop role-playing games in therapy. Behavioral Sciences, 15(10), 441. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15100441

Roll2Heal. (n.d.). Blog. Retrieved January 20, 2026,mnfrom https://roll2heal.org/blog

Roll2Heal. (n.d.). Studies. Retrieved January 20, 2026, from https://roll2heal.org/studies