#StrengthInNumbers
Veteran Musicians and Service Organizations Rock
Out to Combat PTSD, Depression and Suicide
34 | November 2019 | Real Hero Report
In the run-up to Veteran’s Day 2019, a unique coalition of
military veteran musicians, and veteran-serving organizations
in the Atlanta area came together to present a concert event
called #StrengthInNumbers, to heighten awareness about
mental health issues that veterans deal with every day: PTSD,
Depression, and Suicide Risk.
On November 2, 2019, at Furnace
41, the #StrengthInNumbers concert
brought together metal, hard rock,
and rap acts Disciples of Danger, Doc
Todd, Black Knight Satellite, and
Shattergrind. All of the acts featured
military veteran members, with heavy
lyrical focus on the mental health
challenges facing Veterans readjusting
to life after service. Stackup.org, a
veteran-serving gaming/streaming
organization, live-streamed the concert
on the front page of Twitch.tv, one of
the world’s biggest video streaming
platforms, reaching a broad online
audience.
During breaks between acts, representatives from veteranserving
organizations Alchemy Sky, PTSD Foundation of
America, VETLANTA, Hope Center for Veterans, and the
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention spoke to the large
online broadcast audience to educate them about the core issues
affecting veterans’ mental health, and to spread the message to
veterans who are struggling that they are not alone, and help is
available.
Many people are unaware, according to the Veterans
6000 veterans a year die by suicide. Veterans are far more likely
to die by suicide that non-veterans. Earlier this year, two veterans,
in separate incidents right here in Georgia, took their own lives
while at VA facilities, illustrating the urgency of the situation.
#StrengthInNumbers was conceived to increase awareness
about PTSD, depression, and veterans’ mental health issues at the
local, state, and national levels, and to de-stigmatize the act of
seeking help.
Event co-organizer Dan Marshall says, “The band Disciples
Of Danger (DOD) is made up of several former veterans of
various branches of the military. The song lyrics focus on themes
like PTSD, depression, and mental health issues that they’re
personally working through as they adjust to civilian life. We
decided that turning this show into a service project was a natural,
logical step for the band and gives the music a worthy purpose;
we see the amazing potential of music to reach people who need
to hear this message.”
About the Music
The Disciples of Danger, a rap-core band featuring veterans of
various branches, is led by Stephen Smitley, a former Marine
who speaks openly about his struggles
with depression and PTSD in the song
lyrics. Elements of rap, metal, rock,
and other genres in the vein of Rage
Against The Machine, Linkin Park, and
SevenDust can be heard in their music.
According to Smitley, “My hope is
that #StrengthInNumbers will become
an annual event. The overall goal is to
make sure veterans who struggle know
that they are not alone, and it’s OK to
seek help…”
Rapper Doc Todd is a former Navy
Corpsman who is a vocal advocate for
veteran mental health issues, and has
been seen on CNN and in PSAs with
Diet Coke highlighting his experience overseas and his personal
journey since returning from deployment. His album “Combat
Medicine” is available on online outlets everywhere.
Also featured were Black Knight Satellite and Shattergrind,
bands which feature military veteran members.
The service organizations partnering with #StrengthInNumbers
included:
VETLANTA serves Atlanta-area veterans and military
families by engaging local corporations and aligning Atlanta’s
network of Veterans Support Providers
Alchemy Sky provides therapeutic music programs for
partners like the VA, VEO and Wounded Warrior Project
The PTSD Foundation of America
organization dedicated to mentoring to our combat veterans
and their families with post-traumatic stress.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention raises
and aid to those affected by suicide.
Stackup.org brings both veterans and civilian supporters
together through a shared love of video gaming.
Hope Center for Veterans offers free mentoring, peer
support, and group counseling so veterans may continue to
lead meaningful and productive lives.
/Stackup.org