Expressive art ... Military personnel Daniel Cooper, visual artist and RAAF member, Donna Bourne music and rhythm and Army member, and visual artist and RAN member Glenn Hudson at the Inspire Centre at Canberra University. Source: NewsCorp Source: News Corp Australia

A myriad of treatments from chemicals to mountain climbing and ocean kayaking have been tried by numerous groups to relieve modern-day veterans and service personnel of work-related mental trauma.

But the Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) program at the University of Canberra is the first formal attempt by the defence forces, in conjunction with the university, to lift the “black dog’’ of depression from serving personnel.

The tri-service program encourages men and women diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety or similar conditions to use art or performance to normalise their lives.

And judging by the response of participants, who showcased their works before family and friends last Thursday, it has worked remarkably well.

‘Out of my shell’

32-year-old Corporal Daniel Cooper from Canberra has been in the RAAF for more than seven years. He followed his dad Group Captain Robert Cooper into the service.

The RAAF policeman was diagnosed with PTSD about two years ago following a deployment to Dubai.

Corporal Cooper was interested in visual arts at school but had never pursued it so he put his name down for photography and sculpture on the four-week course.

“There is definitely a long-term benefit. I have come out of my shell and regained my self-belief,” he said.

“I keep a visual diary and lose myself in my art rather than my mind racing and me going downhill.”

‘Surrounded by positive people’

Warrant Officer Class Two Donna Bourke joined the Army in 1979 and after three separate stints she has three trades and six deployments under her belt.

In March last year the mother and grandmother was diagnosed with PTSD and was at the Soldier Recovery Centre in Brisbane when she heard about the ARRTS program.

A budding author she began on the creative writing course but soon changed to music to pursue her first love — singing.

“There are 18 people on the course and we all get on great and the staff and mentors are so positive. I am surrounded by positive people and it has an amazing effect,” she said.

Warrant Officer Bourke said her husband and friends have all commented that they hadn’t seen her so happy for years.

‘At peace with my art’

Petty Officer Glenn “Rock” Hudson from Mildura has spent 18 years in the Navy and he thought his childhood ability to sketch and paint was gone forever.

Diagnosed with major depression and anxiety the father of two had become withdrawn, but 30 years on his artistic juices came flooding back.

“I am so at peace with my art.

“I just put my headphones on and go for my life,” he said.

Positive step forward

Defence Personnel Minister Stuart Robert said the ARRTS program followed the highly successful “Long Way Home” stage play showcasing the impact of war caused trauma.

“What the group has achieved in such a short period of time is outstanding,” he said.

“The level of commitment and enthusiasm on the part of the participants and support staff has been fantastic.”

Head of the program Brigadier Wayne Goodman said he was amazed by the progress of the 18 people in the group.

“From reserved individuals, they have come together as a group, worked as a team and produced something worthy of the admiration of their mentors and colleagues.”