Q&A
Role of arts-based therapies in supporting veterans' well-being
0:54:49
·
131 sec
Council Member Holden inquires about the role of arts-based therapies in supporting veterans' mental and emotional well-being. Commissioner Hendon and Ellen Greeley discuss the importance of these programs in DVS's mission and strategy.
- Arts programs help identify and connect with veterans, bringing them 'out of the shadows'
- The Dwyer program utilizes arts modalities to bring veterans together
- Arts engagement serves as an attractive way to connect veterans with each other and with support services
- DVS is excited about the potential of expanding these programs through Dwyer funding
Robert Holden
0:54:49
Well, that's my next question on with the commissioner.
0:54:52
So I'll just, you know, punt it over to him.
0:54:54
What you know, what roles do, arts based therapies and creative engagement activities play in supporting veterans' mental and emotional well-being as part of the DVS's broader, mission?
0:55:07
Because we did talk about this.
0:55:09
We did fund, different programs.
0:55:12
But what do you see as being very successful where more funding should be put towards what programs or
James Hendon
0:55:19
I'm a say a little bit and then give it to Elle.
0:55:20
I
Robert Holden
0:55:20
think this
James Hendon
0:55:21
is this is her completely.
0:55:22
To me, it keeps going back to the connect, mobilize, and empower.
0:55:24
So when I think of these things with an eye towards you know, Charter says we assist and inform, but to me, it's 2 big buckets that we do.
0:55:31
One is to identify our brothers and sisters.
0:55:33
Another one is to serve them at the end of the day.
0:55:35
And so when I look at the arts, I see this as something that's a very attractive, thing that we can use to bring more of our people, you know, out of the shadows into the light.
0:55:43
There are all the healing dynamics of it.
0:55:45
At the same time, strategically, it serves with helping us with the connection piece so we can immobilize and empower folks.
0:55:52
I wanna, you know, just refer to Ellen.
Ellen Greeley
0:55:55
So to in many ways, this is the essence of the Dwyer program.
0:55:59
And, we are using the modalities of the arts to bring people together.
0:56:05
And we hope that the arts are and are offered by the providers in such an attractive way that, veterans will basically come and engage, with their fellow veterans.
0:56:18
And we believe that that's where the magic is in the room.
0:56:21
Just as Curtis described, the experience the Solomon Gundy Club with the arts exhibition, we too believe, and we, and we have piloted Dwyer and we do know that that experience is happening.
0:56:35
So, we just hope to, amplify it with, with hoping to, you know, use our funding for Dwyer to at least support, some of these, some of these 5 organizations plus the health and wellness organizations that also applied for the Dwyer funding at this time.
0:56:55
So we're really we're really excited.
0:56:56
We're on the precipice of what I would call something incredibly exciting.
