The document discusses the use of drama therapy as an effective alternative treatment for veterans suffering from mental illness, emphasizing its potential to provide catharsis and emotional expression. It highlights alarming statistics on PTSD, depression, and suicide rates among veterans, illustrating the urgency of addressing mental health issues within this population. The North American Drama Therapy Association defines drama therapy as an active approach to facilitate change through various expressive techniques, aiming to improve overall quality of life for participants.

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This 5 Minute Webinar™ Sponsored By
Supporting Veterans with Mental Illness
Providing an alternative to traditional treatment using drama therapy.
Presented by LaShone Garth of Blanket of Freedom

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WHAT IS
THE BIG IDEA?
USING DRAMA
THERAPY TO
TREAT MENTAL
ILLNESS IN VETS
This approach can provide the context for
participants to tell their stories, set goals
and solve problems, express feelings, or
achieve catharsis.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Due to the cathartic nature of dramatic
artistic expression, drama itself tends to
promote good mental health.
HOW SUCCESSFUL IS IT?

3. 5 MINUTE FACT #1
One in five (20 percent) active duty service members experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS), depression
and other mental health problems.
Drama therapy is a treatment approach that provides a
theatrical platform for people in therapy to express their
feelings, solve problems, and achieve therapeutic goals.
The North American Drama Therapy Association defines the
therapy as “an active, experiential approach to facilitating
change. Through storytelling, projective play, purposeful
improvisation, and performance, participants are invited to
rehearse desired behaviors, practice being in a relationship,
expand and find flexibility between life roles, and perform the
change they wish to be and see in the world.”
WHAT IS DRAMA THERAPY?
NUTS &
BOLTS
"There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper
and more hurtful than anything that bleeds."
-Promote positive behavioral changes
-Improve interpersonal relationship skills
-Integrate physical and emotional well-being
-Achieve personal growth and self-awareness
-Improve overall quality of life
DRAMA THERAPY GOALS:

4. WHY IT
MATTERS ALL WOUNDS ARE NOT EXTERNAL.
Rates of PTS in veterans of the
Iraq and Afghanistan wars range
from five to 37 percent, while
rates of depression were found
to be as high as 27 percent. The
Veterans’ Administration has
treated more than 400,000 post
9/11 veterans for a mental
health problems.
INCREASE IN PTSD RATES
About one in five active duty
service members engage in
chronic heavy drinking.
INCREASE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATES1 2 3
5 MINUTE FACT #2
Military suicide is a national crisis with one active duty soldier taking his or her own life every 36 hours and one
veteran every 80 minutes.
Suicide has increased within the
National Guard and Reserve,
even among those who have
never been officially “activated”
and are not eligible for care
through the Veterans’
Administration” (2012).

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