How fishing is improving veterans' mental health

A veterans' charity says taking groups of people it supports out fishing is helping to improve their mental health.

Launchpad in Liverpool, which provides accommodation and support services for ex-service people, regularly runs the trips to a fishing lake in Lancashire.

Paddy Donoghue, from the charity, said it was the tranquillity, concentration and the opportunity to spend time with others which helped.

"Just looking at the end of that rod can change your mindset," added veteran Wayne.

Launchpad has 50 veterans living at its site in Liverpool, and runs the regular fishing trips to a fishing lake near Preston, with a qualified instruction leading the sessions.

Paddy Donoghue provides education, training and employment at the charity and was inspired to start the fishing trips after his experience of taking part in the pastime.

"A lot of these guys struggle with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety… and fishing is something that makes you think about something else," he said.

"One of the guys once said you're concentrating on catching the fish and looking at the scenery and he said it takes everything else away, so it's good for the mind, it's good for the soul."

Wayne said: "It's great for mental health, especially the outdoors, it's been a great help.

"I used to fish a lot when with my dad when I was a kid, so it's a bit of reminiscing from the past as well.

"Just looking at the end of that rod can change the mindset from being down to actually having a good day, especially when you're pulling a fish in."

He also said the camaraderie between the group is important.

"It can be a lot of banter, which can pull you out of a dark place as well," he said.

His friend and fellow veteran John said he appreciated being with people, but also being separate from them.

"You're so far apart and you've got peace, as well as a bit of banter."

And he said he was also seeing the benefits.

"It takes you out of your everyday normal situations and brings you to a peaceful setting.

"It gives you that single point of focus which drowns all your problems out for the day."

He also believed fishing should be offered by the NHS.

"I absolutely believe that the GP should be able to refer you.

"It might stop a lot of people going downhill so far," he said.

"They should be able to prescribe you adventurous training or fishing, something that everybody needs in my eyes.”

Research carried out by Anglia Ruskin University in 2022 found that taking part in fishing regularly "resulted in higher mental well-being and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms compared to taking part less regularly".

In the same year, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in Greater Manchester started working with a charity to run fishing sessions.

A spokesperson for the nursing team at the trust's Prospect Place site said activities such as fishing "can make a real difference to the people we support".

The team said the activity gave people the chance to get outdoors, learn new skills, spend time with others and focus on "something meaningful".

"Fishing is particularly beneficial because it encourages mindfulness and being present in the moment.

"Spending time in a peaceful setting, focusing on the water and the activity itself, can help reduce anxiety, lower stress levels and promote a sense of calm. The patience and concentration involved can also provide a welcome break from difficult thoughts and worries.

"We've seen how activities like this can boost mood, increase confidence and give people a greater sense of purpose and achievement."

In 2025, a trust in Essex also prescribed fishing to help people with their mental health.

Meanwhile, The Angling Trust runs its Get Fishing for Wellbeing project, with local providers putting on sessions.

The groups from Launchpad work with a qualified angling instructor and Paddy is currently also doing his training to become an instructor, which is being paid for by a bursary provided by the Environment Agency with income from fishing licences.

He would like to see more organisations offering fishing.

"Obviously it works for veterans but there's lots of other groups that it could work with for sure," he said.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.