Powerful Photo Series Shows The Struggles Of Soldiers Coming Home With PTSD
When it comes to war, those brave enough to fight often sacrifice the most.
Even if they are not physically harmed during battle, many soldiers return home with deep emotional wounds from the horrors they witnessed while serving their country.
Recently, photographer Devin Mitchell created the Veteran Vision Project, a compelling photo series and his senior thesis. It reveals the impact of PTSD on America's brave veterans.
Mitchell visited all of the veterans in their homes and gave them free range to choose the outfits, props and poses that best depicted what it feels like to live with post-traumatic stress disorder.
There are two sides to this series. It spreads awareness about the veteran community, the challenges they face during reintegration into society. But it also works as a therapy for the subjects… It makes visible what they feel.
All of Mitchell's raw images are incredibly thought-provoking. Since starting the project last summer, he captured thousands of portraits showcasing the struggles of PTSD, military suicide and sexual assault among our country's bravest men and women.
In the Veteran Vision Project, Devin Mitchell reveals unseen sides of soldiers that are all too common.
Mitchell used Photoshop to pair mirrored reflections demonstrating how veterans outwardly appear and images of how these men and women truly feel.
By allowing the veterans to pick their outfits, props and poses, Mitchell created a variety of compelling portraits that reveal struggles of PTSD.
According to Mitchell, “From the beginning of the project, it was my mission to let veterans say whatever they want through my photographs."
Mitchell's moving visual series has therapeutic elements that help veterans cope with PTSD.
It also helps to raise awareness about the challenges veterans face when returning to civilian life.
Since beginning the series last year, Mitchell expanded the series to include military suicide and sexual assault.
One study revealed 22 US veterans commit suicide every day.
About 26,000 men and women serving in the armed forces become victims of sexual assault each year.
Citations: This Jarring Photo Series Captures What PTSD Really Looks Like (BuzzFeed)
