Research shows creative activity can reduce stress hormones, help people process emotions, and serve as a tool for managing mental health. That is why Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is helping connect military veterans and service members with creative outlets and therapies.
Sal Gonzalez, a former Marine and current country music artist, who has competed on America's Got Talent, doesn't believe that the pain of war ever really goes away.
But he does believe that music can help transform that pain into something beautiful.
Gonzalez has found healing and empowerment through the Wounded Warrior Project. The organization helps connect military veterans with creative outlets like music, art therapy, cooking, and writing to support emotional health.
"I'm so lucky to have music in my life," Gonzalez said. "It's played a role in my mental health literally my whole life, from the time that I was a teenager to later, dealing with my emotions of losing my friends in the war."
Gonzalez knows firsthand the weight of grief, having lost several friends to suicide. He believes music has been a critical tool in addressing his emotions.
"Getting the feelings out on paper and no longer letting them fester is the number one," he shared. "But number two, it allows me to share these feelings with other veterans and sort of be a beacon and let other people know that they're not alone in having these feelings."
Dr. Erin Fletcher, Warrior Care Network Director at Wounded Warrior Project, underscores the effectiveness of creative activities in mental health support.
"We regularly bring veterans together to engage in a variety of creative outlets," she explained. "We want to provide these different opportunities so that the veterans can find what fits best for them."
Gonzalez is a testament to the comprehensive support Wounded Warrior Project offers.
"Wounded Warrior Project has been a part of my life ever since I was in the hospital," he noted. "They helped me learn how to do more activities, like white water rafting and rock climbing for the first time, even to now where they help me with getting a job and navigating the VA."
As an advocate for mental health awareness, Gonzalez has a simple yet profound message for those struggling with difficult experiences: "Get started. The first step is always the hardest, and it doesn't matter if you served your country or not. This world is a much better place with you in it than without you."
To learn more about the programs and services offered by the Wounded Warrior Project, visit their website.
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