Professional Commentary: Could Scuba Diving Support Mental Health?
Author: Jennifer Turner, LCSW, DSW-C
Credentials: LCSW, DSW-C, NAUI Instructor Trainer #64228, DAN First Aid instructor, Owner-SCUBA Diving Therapy, Cozumel MX
Original Research Referenced:
Disclaimer
The following article is a professional commentary on previously published scientific research. It reflects the perspective of the contributing author and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations.
Scuba diving carries inherent risks and may not be appropriate for all individuals. Anyone experiencing mental or physical health concerns should consult a qualified healthcare professional before engaging in diving or any recreational activity. Divers should always follow recognized training standards and medical screening guidelines.
A Growing Conversation Around Diving and Mental Health
Mental health professionals are increasingly exploring complementary approaches that extend beyond traditional clinical settings. One area receiving growing attention is the potential role of outdoor and aquatic activities in supporting psychological well-being.
A recent academic article by Bellvert Rios and Albaladejo Blanco (2022), published in Medicina General y de Familia, explores whether recreational scuba diving may serve as a complementary environment for mental health support.
While the authors emphasize that diving should never replace professional psychological care, the research raises an interesting question: could the unique physical and environmental aspects of diving offer benefits that align with known therapeutic principles?
A Clinical Case That Sparked a Discussion
The article presents the case of a 32-year-old healthcare professional who experienced anxiety symptoms following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms included hypervigilance, insomnia, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating.
After completing six recreational scuba dives, the individual reported improvements in mood, concentration, and relaxation. The improvement was measured using the GAD-7 anxiety scale, where scores dropped from 16 (moderate anxiety) to 5, below the clinical threshold for generalized anxiety disorder.
While this represents a single case and cannot establish cause and effect, the authors used it as a starting point to explore broader research on diving and psychological well-being.
What Current Research Suggests
Several studies reviewed in the article point to potential psychological benefits associated with recreational scuba diving.
Research findings cited include:
- Stress Reduction and Mood Improvement – An exploratory study by Beneton et al. (2017) found that recreational diving participants experienced measurable reductions in perceived stress and improvements in mood compared with individuals participating in other sports.
- Mental Health Outcomes in Divers – Carreño et al. (2020) observed positive mental health outcomes among divers, particularly among individuals already taking medication for chronic or psychiatric conditions.
- Veteran Rehabilitation Programs – Morgan et al. (2019) evaluated a therapeutic diving program for military veterans and reported improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and social functioning.
- Divers’ Perceptions of Mental Health Benefits – A survey of recreational divers by Leger et al. (2019) found that a portion of divers perceived diving as beneficial to their mental well-being.
Taken together, these findings suggest that the diving environment may contain elements that support psychological health.
Why the Diving Enviornment May be Unique
The authors propose several mechanisms that may help explain these outcomes.
- Controlled Breathing
- Scuba diving requires slow, controlled breathing through a regulator. This breathing pattern naturally stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with relaxation and reduced stress responses. Similar breathing techniques are often used in mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapies.
- Immersion in a “Blue Space”
- Water immersion provides a sensory experience that includes buoyancy, temperature regulation, and reduced gravitational stress. This environment can promote a sense of calm and physical awareness that parallels aspects of somatic therapies.
- Structured Activity and Social Engagement
- Diving also requires preparation, teamwork, and skill development. For individuals experiencing isolation or reduced motivation, structured recreational activities can provide a sense of achievement and connection with others.
Important Boundaries & Considerations
Despite the promising observations, the authors emphasize that scuba diving should not be viewed as a substitute for professional mental health treatment.
Diving cannot replace structured therapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy or trauma-focused treatment. Instead, it may serve as a complementary activity that supports overall well-being for some individuals.
There are also important medical considerations.
Certain conditions may make diving unsafe, including:
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Respiratory disorders
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Cardiovascular disease
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Certain neurological conditions
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Some psychiatric conditions
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Pregnancy
Additionally, diving requires training, equipment, environmental awareness, and adherence to safety protocols.
Because of these factors, participation in diving should always follow appropriate medical screening and training standards.
Promising Area for Future Research
The growing interest in nature-based therapies and recreational health interventions has opened new avenues for research.
Scuba diving offers a particularly unique environment that combines:
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Controlled breathing
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Sensory immersion
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Physical activity
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Structured learning
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Social interaction
Further research will be necessary to determine:
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Which aspects of diving may contribute most to psychological benefits
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Whether certain populations benefit more than others
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How diving might safely complement established mental health treatments
For now, the research suggests that the underwater environment may provide more than just recreation. For carefully screened individuals, it may offer a meaningful way to reconnect with both body and mind.
References
Beneton, F., Michoud, G., Coulange, M., Laine, N., Ramdani, C., Borgnetta, M., & Guieu, R. (2017). Recreational diving practice for stress management: An exploratory trial. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 2193. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02193
Carreño, A., Gascon, M., Vert, C., & Lloret, J. (2020). The beneficial effects of short-term exposure to scuba diving on human mental health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(19), 7238. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17197238
Leger, M., Whalley, B., Waterman, M., Conway, R., & Smerdon, G. (2019). Diving and mental health: The potential benefits and risks from a survey of recreational scuba divers. Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, 49(4), 291–297. https://doi.org/10.28920/dhm49.4.291-297
Morgan, A., Sinclair, H., Tan, A., Thomas, E., & Castle, R. (2019). Can scuba diving offer therapeutic benefit to military veterans experiencing physical and psychological injuries as a result of combat? Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(23), 2832–2840. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2018.14806
About the Author
Jennifer Turner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Doctor of Clinical Social Work with experience in the Dive industry. Her work focuses on the intersection of diving, wellness, and human performance. This commentary reflects their professional perspective on emerging research related to scuba diving and mental health.
