Songwriting with Soldiers Fight PTSD Battle

Songwriting with Soldiers
KUT News Austin
November 2, 2012
by: Peter Babb

According to a study by the Rand Corporation, 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from some type of post-traumatic stress: more than 300 thousand servicemen and women. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) can lead to alcohol and drug abuse, broken families, homelessness—and suicide. On average, 18 veterans commit suicide each day.

Only half of those suffering from PTSD seek treatment. Many soldiers fear that admitting a problem might hurt their careers.

For those who do reach out, resources are available—from traditional therapies to new approaches.

Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith is the founder of a new program to help promote soldiers’ healing through music. Texas Music Matters’ David Brown reports from a camp outside Fort Hood, TX, site of a recent Songwriting with Soldiers retreat.
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