Amidst all the chaos our country faces, there is still much to be thankful for. On Nov. 11, Veterans’ Day, we show our appreciation for those who have fought for us, who have risked life and limb to keep this country and its people safe. We pay respects to those who lost their lives, and we are grateful for those who came back.
But the soldiers who do come back from the frontlines often bring the frontlines home with them. It has been given many names over the centuries, such as shell shock or battle fatigue, but today, we recognize it as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is a serious mental disorder that can have damaging effects on how soldiers settle back into civilian life.
Luckily, as the fields of psychology and medicine advance, we’ve found many ways for veterans to combat the symptoms of PTSD.
One of the more innovative methods is through art, be it musical, visual, or even theatrical. Many organizations have been created to help in this endeavor, from the National Initiative for Arts and Health in the Military, which serves veterans across the country, to smaller community-centered organizations, such as Do Good Multnomah in Portland, Oregon.
In fact, earlier this year, Do Good Multnomah worked with a local art gallery, the Brassworks Gallery, to showcase veterans’ art that told the stories of what they’ve experienced. According to an article written about the event, Marine Corps veteran Christian Gabriel explained that art “‘gets me out of my head…When I couldn’t sleep at night, I started painting and writing.’”
Gabriel helped the art gallery’s curator, Robin Weirich, to put together a show they called Acrylic Warfare. According to the same article, local veterans’ artwork “covers the walls at Brassworks Gallery. Their stories are told on cards by each of the more than 40 pieces.”
Jonny Fisher, a developmental manager with Do Good Multnomah, explained how the veterans “signed up to fight and after they get out they’re still fighting. It’s up to us to pick up the fight.”
Another project that highlights the healing power of the arts is the upcoming documentary film, “Re-story: Transforming Veteran Stories into Art,” which will de- but at the National Veteran Film Festival on Nov. 13-15. Students from Columbus College of Art and Design worked with veterans to share their stories. According to CCAD’s blog, the documentary will “explore how their creative efforts as artists have helped them to process their individual military experiences.”
Included in the documentary are short animations that were created from veterans’ poems, which in turn were created during a poetry workshop organized by the Veteran Arts Initiative of the VA Central Ohio Healthcare System. Heather Seymour, a VAI program coordinator, expressed how important the film is because “The common thread is that no life experiences define us, we are all dynamic. We all want to be heard, understood, and this platform of storytelling is essential in a digital world.”
There are hundreds of stories that need to be heard, but unfortunately never will be. PTSD can truly ruin veterans’ lives, and after serving their country, the least they deserve is the stability of mind and soul. So on this Veterans Day, reach out to the veterans you know and learn their stories, and don’t forget to thank them for their service.
Photo by Emma Crouch
