Songwriting with Soldiers
Jay Clementi works with soldiers at Fort Hood who are affected by PTSD. Photo by Jorge Sanheuza-Lyon for Texas Music Matters.Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith is working to do something about the thousands of service members affected by PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
According to a study by the Rand Corporation, 1 in 5 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from some type of post-traumatic stress. That’s more than 300,000 servicemen and women. PTSD 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.
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, site of a recent Songwriting with Soldiers retreat.
Songwriting with Soldiers Feature
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Darden Smith – “Angel’s Flight”
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