FRETS 4 VETS

We are trying to get the rate of 22 veteran and active duty military suicides to a lower number by creating a coping mechanism to direct their mind to a more positive and creative direction. Studies have shown that PTSD and depression can be lessened through counseling and though developing coping skills. We aim to help in the creation of those skill to be added to regular mental health counseling through third parties.

A veteran student with a valid dd-214 and a diagnosis of PTSD or Depression (and some physical limitations are also considered) is provided a loaner guitar and an instructor to provide 16 one on one classes provided at 1 hour per week. Every other week after their 4th lesson they will be invited (not a mandatory attendance) to bi-weekly jam session / group get together held at their location. The students are allowed 2 makeup days, if they can not attend for health or acts of mother nature those will not be counted. At the end of the 16 week course the student gets a diploma package that will include a brand new, handmade in the USA, electric guitar, lap steel or bass, depending on their lesson selection, that is theirs to keep. They will then be invited to continue to take lessons at a minor cost of $5 per week donation to the host venue to help with the maintaining of the space they are so graciously letting us use for this program. If a student surpasses a 32 week program they will be inducted into our Player Hall of Fame in which ever category they have chosen to learn to play in. They will also at that point be evaluated and offered the chance to teach what they have learned to a new flight of students. Students will also get an assessment once monthly to track the progression of their PTSD or depression to help with informational metrics and to help determine if they need to be referred to any mental health specialists to further their recovery.
Our program is specifically designed to help create a coping mechanism to help the student focus their mind in a positive direction instead of a self destructive path. We can not emphasize enough that we are not a medical program we are a supportive program and our program works best when a student is enrolled in some form of counseling or is seeing a medical professional on a regular basis. We embrace the drug free approach of counseling blended with our program as the best method in all but the most extreme cases.

We have a network of twenty four teachers for the program and a few mental health counselors / practices that we refer to if the student wishes to have professional counseling and are not already enrolled in such.

we have successfully accomplished our goals with the first set of students, but we have 492 on a wait list and it is growing daily. We haven't been able to help everyone due to a lack of funding.