Women who serve in the armed forces have a unique life journey. They are a minority during service and a rarity in the civilian population. Their contributions to military service are often unknown, unrecognized, or worse, disregarded. Prior studies show these women may step back further and further from their military identity, which may put them at greater risk for long-term, negative mental health and well-being.

A new study by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has found that women veterans who participated in a peer support program experienced a greater sense of belonging, higher quality of life and less post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.