The Difficult Return: Contexts and Developments in Drama-Based Work with Returned Military Personnel

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Author(s)
Balfour, Michael
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2009
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This article offers an overview of how drama-based work has responded to the needs of military veterans returning from war. The article briefly traces how conditions such as 'combat stress' and 'shell shock' in World War I have evolved into clinically accepted terms such as Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the Vietnam War. The implication of these contexts will then be considered in relation to the current generation of military personnel, specifically those from Australia and New Zealand. The article assesses the first stages of Young Diggers, a support website for veterans and their families. ...
View more >This article offers an overview of how drama-based work has responded to the needs of military veterans returning from war. The article briefly traces how conditions such as 'combat stress' and 'shell shock' in World War I have evolved into clinically accepted terms such as Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the Vietnam War. The implication of these contexts will then be considered in relation to the current generation of military personnel, specifically those from Australia and New Zealand. The article assesses the first stages of Young Diggers, a support website for veterans and their families. Currently, it is one of the few forums where serving and ex-military personnel can seek independent advice and guidance. The article outlines how digital storytelling will be used as a component of the website to help develop a creative online space that enhances engagement and communication with veteran communities.
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View more >This article offers an overview of how drama-based work has responded to the needs of military veterans returning from war. The article briefly traces how conditions such as 'combat stress' and 'shell shock' in World War I have evolved into clinically accepted terms such as Post-Traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the Vietnam War. The implication of these contexts will then be considered in relation to the current generation of military personnel, specifically those from Australia and New Zealand. The article assesses the first stages of Young Diggers, a support website for veterans and their families. Currently, it is one of the few forums where serving and ex-military personnel can seek independent advice and guidance. The article outlines how digital storytelling will be used as a component of the website to help develop a creative online space that enhances engagement and communication with veteran communities.
View less >
Journal Title
Applied Theatre Researcher
Volume
10
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2009 and IDEA. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. It is posted here with permission of the copyright owner[s] for your personal use only. No further distribution permitted. For information about this journal please refer to the journal's website or contact the author.
Subject
Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies
Specialist Studies in Education
Performing Arts and Creative Writing
Cultural Studies