Our Story

Who we are:

The Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation was founded in 2020 by Dylan Conway, a former infantry officer, to harness the healing power of books in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of veterans, first responders, and at-risk Australians. What began as a grassroots initiative quickly evolved into a national charity committed to making reading a tool for recovery and resilience.

In just a few years, the Foundation has grown to deliver evidence-based bibliotherapy programs, trauma-informed support, and widespread community engagement, using literature to connect, empower and uplift individuals from all walks of life.

Our programs are designed to improve mental health outcomes, enhance cognitive recovery, and provide purpose after service by promoting access to curated reading, peer-led groups, and therapeutic reflection.

Over 20,000 Australians have accessed our resources, including veterans, emergency service personnel, youth in detention, and people in regional or isolated communities.

We work with libraries, schools, hospitals and community organisations to build inclusive, lifelong learning spaces – often in places where support is otherwise limited.

Whether it’s helping someone find the right book at the right time or facilitating workshops that rebuild identity and confidence, our mission remains the same: to put books in the hands of those who need them most.

Our team is made up of veterans, clinicians, educators and lived-experience advocates – people who understand both the cost of trauma and the quiet, life-changing power of a good book.

What we do:

Trauma, isolation, and identity loss are common experiences for veterans, first responders, and vulnerable Australians navigating life after service or crisis. The result is often poor mental health, disconnection, and a lack of purpose – challenges that too many face in silence.

The Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation helps individuals rebuild their mental and emotional resilience through the therapeutic use of books. Our programs foster critical thinking, emotional regulation, and a sense of belonging through guided reading, reflection, and discussion.

We currently support individuals across Australia through curated libraries, bibliotherapy groups, digital resources, and mobile outreach. Our programs are available in community hubs, detention centres, RSLs, hospitals, and online – ensuring that no one misses out due to geography or circumstance.

Our work sits at the intersection of mental health, education, and social support – using books as a catalyst for self-discovery and recovery. Through partnerships with schools, defence organisations, health services, and libraries, we deliver long-term support in a simple, low-cost, and deeply human way.

Alongside our frontline delivery, we advocate for the recognition of bibliotherapy as a vital tool in trauma recovery, mental health treatment, and literacy development – bringing a fresh, evidence-backed voice to national conversations on wellbeing and social reintegration.

Who we support:

The Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation supports individuals across Australia who have experienced trauma, transition, or isolation – especially those from high-impact roles and vulnerable communities.

Our services are available to:
Current and former members of the Australian Defence Force,
Emergency service personnel,
Healthcare workers,
Educators,
and Frontline staff who face unique psychological stressors in the line of duty.

We also support individuals in custodial settings, at-risk youth, survivors of domestic violence, and Australians living in remote or underserved regions – where access to mental health resources is limited and disconnection is widespread.

Crucially, our programs are open to the immediate families* of those who serve. These individuals often shoulder invisible burdens – whether supporting a loved one through recovery or enduring the disruptions and sacrifices that come with high-stress careers.

Why we do what we do:

Imagine feeling completely lost — the structure of your day is gone, your role unclear, and the weight of unspoken trauma quietly grows. You struggle to sleep, to connect, to feel like yourself again. The tools around you don’t quite fit the problem you’re facing.

This is the reality for thousands of Australians — from veterans to first responders, survivors of trauma, and youth facing generational hardship. Many carry invisible wounds and feel cut off from the support they need.

The result is often silent suffering, fractured families, and the slow erosion of hope.

At the Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation, we believe books can be a turning point. More than stories, they offer calm, perspective, and sometimes, the words people need to keep going.

We deliver accessible, evidence-based programs that use books to build resilience, reduce suffering, and reconnect people with themselves and others — because healing should never be out of reach, and one book can change a life.