Art therapy is emerging as a powerful tool in mental health treatment, going beyond traditional methods. Picture a veteran sitting with a therapist, not just talking but expressing their deepest emotions through vibrant colors and intricate designs. This is art therapy—an innovative approach where creativity becomes a bridge to healing.
Understanding Art Therapy: A Path to Healing
Art therapy involves using artistic methods to treat psychological disorders and enhance mental health. Participants engage in creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to express themselves artistically and explore the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. With the guidance of a credentialed art therapist, clients decode the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in these art forms, leading to a deeper understanding of their feelings and behaviors.
How Art Therapy Became a Beacon of Hope
Art therapy officially became recognized in the 1940s when doctors observed individuals with mental illness expressing themselves through art. This discovery led to art becoming an integral part of the therapeutic field, used in assessment and treatment techniques.
The Power of Art Therapy in Treatment
Art therapy is effective for individuals of all ages, addressing a wide range of mental disorders and psychological distress. When combined with other psychological therapies like group therapy and cognitive behavior therapy, art therapy can improve self-esteem, manage addictions, relieve stress, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and help individuals cope with serious physical illnesses or disabilities.
Art therapists work in various settings, including private counseling, hospitals, wellness centers, correctional institutions, senior centers, and community organizations. Artistic talent is not required for art therapy to be successful; the process focuses on the connections between creative choices and a participant’s inner life and thoughts. Artwork serves as a springboard for reawakening memories and telling stories, revealing messages and beliefs from the unconscious mind.
Supporting Veterans: Healing Through Art
From 2001 to 2011, approximately 2.6 million U.S. service members were deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Research indicates that 10% to 18% of these veterans returned with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Intense fear, depression, negative moods, and nightmares disrupt their daily lives.
A survey conducted between 2012 and 2014 at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) at Walter Reed Military Medical Center revealed that art therapy ranks among the top five most helpful techniques for treating service members with PTSD.
Creative Forces, a national military healing arts program, reports that over 500,000 U.S. armed services members live with a traumatic brain injury or PTSD. Creative Forces, a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, places art therapy at the core of its patient care in 11 clinical sites. At Walter Reed National Medical Center, 85% of patients said art therapy was crucial to their healing, and art therapy for PTSD could save more than $1,000 in healthcare costs per veteran, totaling $1.7 billion.
Art Therapy: The Process
A typical art therapy session involves three segments. The initial “check-in” establishes an emotional starting point for participants. The middle segment includes an “artistic prompt,” where participants create artwork. The final segment wraps up with a meaningful dialogue about the artwork.
Art therapy uses various media and activities, with the healing process approached from different angles. Drawing is a popular activity, allowing participants to express inner thoughts and share their artistic depictions. Photography captures meaningful moments in participants’ daily lives, giving visual form to personal feelings. Other activities include painting, poetry, dance, instrumentals, vocals, songwriting, acting, quilting, crocheting, and sculpting.
Life After Art Therapy: Continuing the Journey
Some participants may not continue creating art after therapy, but many find it an ongoing outlet for their thoughts and emotions. Their artwork is showcased in galleries, museums, and sold through various outlets.
Veteran Art Connection bridges healing and entrepreneurship, allowing veteran artists to use therapeutic creativity for financial stability. Most proceeds from artwork sales go directly to the artists.
Crucial Statistics: The Veterans’ Plight
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
- 30% of Vietnam veterans have experienced PTSD.
- 12% of Gulf War veterans and 11%-20% of OEF and OIF veterans have PTSD annually.
- There are approximately 22 million veterans in the U.S., with numbers expected to surge to 3.9 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans by 2021.
- 30% of recent veterans have service-related disabilities, and almost 8% live in poverty.
- 16% of older veterans have injuries, and 7% live in poverty.
- In 2020, 6,146 veterans died by suicide, making it the 13th leading cause of death among veterans and the second leading cause among those under 45.
Promoting Connectivity: Art Therapy’s Role
Art therapy can help mitigate these statistics by fostering community connectivity. Through art, veterans express emotions, cope with trauma, and build supportive networks. This process aids their healing journey and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, contributing to overall well-being. RossettiArts.org/veterans
The Rossetti Foundation: Fostering Community through Art
The Rossetti Foundation for the Arts and Culture is dedicated to promoting art as a means of healing and community building. By supporting programs like art therapy for veterans, the Foundation aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment. The Gallery on Vine, located at the Rossetti Estate, showcases veterans’ art, symbolizing inclusion and a vital part of their healing journey. This gallery serves as a testament to the power of art in transforming lives and fostering community.
Join us in supporting veterans through art therapy and witness the transformative power of creativity in healing and community building. #RossettiArts, #VeteranArtTherapy
