If you work with wood, you know how enjoyable it is to follow a project from inception, conception and integration. However, you may not have realized that you were actually helping to improve your mental health. Multiple studies have confirmed what carpenters have known for years, woodworking is good for your health, mental well being and interaction with those around you. Essentially, working wi
th wood helps to fend off negative emotions and even depression by allowing you to exercise your unique creative abilities through what is commonly known as "Art Therapy". Art Therapy has become increasingly popular over the years as an alternative and holistic method of treating depression symptoms. Woodworking is one of the most effective (yet unrecognized) forms of the aforementioned Art Therapy in the world today. Just thinking about the extensive attention to detail that goes into everything you make, you are not only creating something new from scratch you are performing every step. You must plan it, measure it properly, cut out your pieces, put them together, sand, stain or even paint your art. Working with wood engages multiple aspects as well as disciplines within your mental cognitive and challenges one to think outside the box and push themselves into new areas of thinking and creativity. As a result we feel a great sense of accomplishment when we finish a project; that accomplishment will help to push away negative feelings and emotions in relation to PTSD that you have brought home from the war. Art Therapy helps one to cope with the demons that you struggle with as a result of PTSD. This is what Art Therapy is all about “creating a sense of positive thinking in our lives”. Our concept here at Black Locust Designs touches on just that. Black Locust Designs is a small service disabled Veteran owned Non-Profit Organization that was started by Veterans for Veterans that have given more than their fair share to operations covering the last 30 years and have identified a need for an alternative way in dealing with one’s service connected PTSD, outside the normal lines of therapy. Small history on Black Locust Designs:
We are in the infancy stages of this project; we are currently looking for Sponsors or Donations of material, tools, equipment and machinery (operational or not). Because Black Locust Designs is a Non-Profit Organization, all donations to this cause are recognized and given a Tax Free Credit as helping Veterans with this disability.
