How Poetry Heals Our Armed Forces from PTSD
In 2008, a RAND (non profit, non partisan, research organization who aims to develop solutions to public policy) study stated that 20% of those who served in Iraq will have a type of PTSD; these numbers the American Military recognizes as a realistic estimate (Warrior Writers: Re-making Sense). This supposed reality prompts the question of how do we deal with returning troops who suffer psychologically from war experience? There are psychologist and therapist that offer support to veterans, but are there any additional or preferable alternatives? Veterans have found power in creative writing, helping them to cope with war related trauma. There are organizations that use art to help veterans deal with war traumas.
The Warrior Writers organization is one of many organizations that use art to help veterans cope with distress. The Warrior Writers organization is a veteran focused arts organization based in Philadelphia. Warrior Writers use artistic mediums, such as writing, painting, and photography. Creative writing in the form of poetry is the most utilized artistic medium. Warrior Writers mission is to help veterans heal from emotional traumas, cope with PTSD, and to share their experiences with the community. The organization does not exclusively serve veterans; family of veterans and community members participate too. The writing workshops produce art that is shared in exhibits and public events across America. The organization has published several books, which includes poetry from veterans. Warrior Writers believes art communicates veterans’ experiences, which fosters personal healing and invites its audience to understand the experiences of veterans.
The transformative power of creative writing is shown in many lives. One life writing has affected dramatically is poet and an ex-army soldier Ron Capps. Coming back to America after serving in several wars, Capps suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. He began writing and discovered that writing helped him to cope with his distress. From his experience of writing, Capps decided to help other veteran’s transition back to civilian life. He founded the Veterans Writing Project, an organization that provides free writing workshops for veterans.
As a testament to the power of writing even now the military looks towards writing and other art forms to help traumatized veterans. The Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland offers weekly writing workshops. Travis Martin, an Iraq veteran and writer, succinctly states, “’the traditional therapies and approaches to PTSD are not getting the job done. Vets are looking for alternative ways to heal, and they are latching onto writing as a way to do it” (NYtimes). Another war veteran, Lisa Barber, who blogged some of her Afghanistan war experiences, also express satisfaction with writing. She states, “’there is a hope that my ability to write will put my experience into perspective. I never thought writing could do this for me. No therapist ever told me that” (A safe space). Barber’s and Martin’s view is held by many veterans and more organizations and social services are beginning to take notice of the power of creative writing.
Although veterans attest that writing helps them heal it is equally important that they are not immediately exposed to environments that can re-open these wounds of suffering. This is why organizations find it important for Veterans to have a safe space for writing. Most veteran writing workshops aim to create a safe space by facilitating workshops with primarily veterans. Public Colleges/Universities, for example, can be punitive towards the stories of war veterans. In 2011, a young Iraq veteran in Maryland was barred from his college after the publication of his essay about his struggle with violence addiction in the school newspaper (A Safe space…). These types of occurrences prompt organizations and leaders to think about the best social arrangements for Veterans that allow them to share and explore their experiences and stories. The creation of safe spaces for a new generation of veterans to write about their time in the military is at the heart of Veteran Writer Workshops and the Warrior Writers organization.
The issue that confronts most war vets is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological professionals allege that PTSD exemplifies several symptoms. These symptoms include loneliness, self deprecation, and reluctance to talk about their experiences. They become socially isolated, emotionally disturbed, hopeless, and afraid of involvement and intimacy (Goodnight Saigon). Victims of PTSD (in these case veterans) achieve greatly by writing because they are creatively motivated to share their life experiences, which helps them cope with stress and suffering. Veterans find through theses workshops and through the network of people that they are not alone. Many of the Veterans share similar experiences.
While the psychological understanding of PTSD is accepted, the poem by veteran poet Mike Howard challenges this held view:
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
How is this a disorder?
What part of being emotionally and physically affected by gross violence is
disorder?
How about a going to war and coming home with a clear conscience disorder”(Warrior Writers)?
Mike Howard’s perception of disorder is one of order, instead of chaos. He feels if one experiences deep suffering it is natural that they become disturb. In Howard’s view it would be absurd to experience “gross violence” and not be affected in any negative way. To be undisturbed by violence is an indication of a lack of empathy or overall lack of connection with self and others. Therefore, the objective becomes how does one who has experienced dark violence recover and cope? The writing workshops have been a valuable alternative as therapy for veterans. According to the Veteran and writing workshop leader Ron Capps, “veterans routinely point to writing and other creative-arts programs as being the most helpful of their therapies”(A safe space…). In addition to creative art being therapeutic, creative expression has served as political expression.
The Warrior Writers organization has served political ends by challenging the grand narratives associated with military life and American Patriotism. As Jan Barry writes in his introduction to Warrior Writers: Re-Making Sense, the works comprised in this anthology do more than shed light on the realities of war or offer the creative expressions of Veterans. They also challenge “’the mythology of military veterans as stoic saviors of civil society’s virtues and values’”(Warrior Writers). One of the goals of the Warrior Writers organization is to “create visibility for veteran artist and their work” (WW website). This goal has been achieved by given artists a platform to express themselves. The artists have testified before the Congressional Commission on disability benefits and have spoken out against military activities. Chantelle Bateman, an associated artist of the Warrior Writers organization, has publicly denounced war exclaiming, “I no longer believe that we, meaning my brothers and sisters in arms, are fighting and dying for real American values. Both the pride and shame in my country has led me to this place. I am a veteran and I am against the war [Iraq]” (Warrior Writers.org)! Other artists have been conscientious objectors of war activities and most are outspoken or against some of the actions military personnel have committed. Warrior Writers position their political expression on ethical grounds. They are concerned with the principals of the Military and its treatment of its members.
The writing organizations for veterans have grown in number and size. They are a great alternative way to deal with therapy, but by no means are these types of organizations perfect in their outcomes. Some veterans overcome by their traumas even when they are given opportunities for creative expression.
In a readjustment counseling group for Vietnam veterans, clinicians combined the use of music, fiction, poetry, and film to address PTSD issues amongst veterans. The outcome of the intervention showcases the imperfect results of therapy and/or art therapy for veterans. Of seven participants, one dropped out of treatment, one was incarcerated and committed to the state hospital, and three were at one point of the counseling period were referred to PTSD intensive therapy. Five of the seven completed their therapy session and reported an increased awareness of the part Vietnam played in their lives, renewed sense of hope, an increase in community involvement, and a decrease or elimination of the use of drugs/alcohol (Goodnight Saigon). Keep in mind this particular initiation of creative expression is not representative of Veteran operated organizations, such as Warrior writers, however these outcomes assumedly mirrors the outcomes of Veteran/Artist operated organizations that are not operated by clinicians, i.e. mental health professionals.
Although Veteran Writing Organizations do not purport perfect outcomes they are considered great organizations in help dealing with the PTSD. Veterans throughout dozens of articles and this paper have echoed that writing has transformed their lives and has helped them heal from war traumas. Today war is still relevant and these organizations are as active as ever. The goal is to further their political agendas and attract new veterans. The redemptive power of creating writing is valuable and forever will be.