Derek Pyrah is a former Royal Australian Air Force veteran who served for 14 years, including deployments to Iraq. He is the founder of No More Zombie Veterans and Safer Veterans Australia, initiatives advocating for Department of Veterans Affairs policy change to bring safer, evidence-informed treatment pathways for veterans living with treatment-resistant PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Following his service, Derek spent more than a decade navigating complex mental health treatment and the long-term impacts of psychiatric polypharmacy. His lived experience, combined with extensive research into the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and emerging trauma therapies, now informs his policy engagement and public advocacy.

Derek works with clinicians, policymakers, and veteran communities to promote balanced reform — supporting responsible prescribing, improved outcome monitoring, and education-based frameworks that prioritise safety, stability, and long-term recovery for veterans and their families.