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This mask was created by an Army flight medic who said one side represents the United States shedding tears for the military and the other side represents the military shedding tears for the U.S. A quote on the mask reads "I have destroyed my life and myself so that others may live."
These masks and montage paintings were created during art therapy groups at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICOE), a Department of Defense research institute. Soldiers can participate in art therapy, music therapy, and therapeutic writing during a four-week intensive outpatient program designed to advance the treatment, research, and education of traumatic brain injury and psychological health concerns.
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This mask depicts the words TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) painted onto a vice clamped to the mask. The mask was created by a soldier symbolizing the pain he feels as a result of his traumatic brain injury.
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This mask represents the men who were killed in action while the Marine who created it was in command. It symbolizes death and his attempt to resuscitate the wounded. His fingerprints on the nose and chin are reminders of his CRR efforts.
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Various memories and scenes from deloyments are recreated on this Marine's mask. A drawing of his family on the mask's chin symbolizes how he felt they "took the brunt" of his issues after he returned home.
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This montage painting represents the changes, or "repairs," the patient went through after coming to NICOE. The door represents the soldier completing the program -- he said he felt he could stand upright and proud as he was leaving.
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This mask symbolizes the soldier's need to camouflage himself to fit into society. The soldier shared that art therapy was one of the only times he felt he could truly express himself.
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This mask, entitled "The Shock of Death," is the depiction of one soldier's traumatic memory of an Iraqi who was shot in the head during a firefight. Even though part of his skull was gone, the soldier could see that the dying man was still conscious.
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This mask symbolizes the patient's inability to open up about his emotions and experiences due to the stigma associated with mental health issues. He said the metal eyes represent how he feels service members are trained to be machine-like, or robotic. The background colors are those of Afghanistan's flag.
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This mask was created by a Marine to symbolize his "split sense of self": his happy, civilian side, and an injured, military side that has been affected by war and traumatic experiences.
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This mask was created by a soldier who was exposed to multiple blast injuries in combat. The mask depicts the EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) symbol. EOD units dispose of bombs or improvised explosive devices which could severely injury or kill if detonated.
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Titled "Emotional Hostage" this mask expresses how emotions inevitably grab control of the soldier who created it, despite his effort to suppress and hide them.
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This mask is part of a two-piece artwork exploring the significance of death and the surviving spirit that remains after a person is killed.
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This montage painting, entitled "The Clarity of Chaos," symbolizes the soldier's past, present and future. The patient depicts a dark and chaotic past, his time at the NICOE, and then a bright and hopeful future.
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Unmasking the agony: Combat troops turn to art therapy
Slideshow: Art therapy helps soldiers coping with trauma
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05 ... snhp&pos=1
