The Library of Congress Veterans History Project is marking Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month with a panel discussion on Wednesday, part of a virtual program titled “Post Traumatic Stress & Music: The Healing Power of Music.”
The discussion will debut at 8 p.m. ET on VHP’s Facebook page, where panelists and a moderator will be available to answer questions and address remarks in the comments section.
A 2017 study found that Post-Traumatic Stress affects nearly 13 percent of U.S. veterans compared to 7-8 percent of the total U.S. population, according to the Veterans Administration.
One way some veterans cope is through harnessing the healing power of music. Whether writing, playing or performing, music can be a helpful tool to veterans learning to cope with the invisible wounds of PTS.
Although music therapy has been in the toolbox to improve mood and behavior since the early 19th century, the practice formally began after World War I and World War II, when musicians went to veterans hospitals to play for those affected by physical and emotional trauma from the wars, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Now music therapy is widely used and funded by the federal government to treat veterans with PTS.
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“We need to reduce the stigma (with PTS) and create more therapeutic service delivery models that are culturally acceptable,” said Rob Jackson, co-founder and executive director of Beats Rhymes & Life, and the panel’s moderator.
The panel will be introduced by Gary Sinise, founding member of the Lt. Dan Band, who says music can “turn slumped shoulders into lifted spirits” and that playing rock and roll for veterans is a way to honor their service.
Panelists for the program include:
Bob Regan – An American country music songwriter and founder of Operation Song, a Nashville-based nonprofit program that pairs veterans, active-duty military, and their families with professional songwriters to help them tell their stories through song.
Patrick Nettesheim – A Milwaukee-based guitar instructor, composer, performer, and co-founder of Guitars For Vets, a nonprofit organization that offers ailing and injured veterans free guitars and music instruction.
George “Doc” Todd – An Atlanta-based combat medic who served as a Fleet Marine Force corpsman in Afghanistan. Upon returning home, “Doc” created a hip-hop album called “Combat Medicine” aimed at empowering veterans and helping to improve military personnel’s mental health.
The Veterans History Project has hosted PTS Awareness events since 2014.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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