A nurse’s writings from over 100 years ago reveals World War One (WW1) art therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The stories in this recovered journal provide insight into the mental impacts of war such as shell shock, trench foot, and PTSD. Also noted the use of ‘dark humour’, which many in healthcare will recognise as a workplace occurance/coping strategy. Therapeutic art as a way to explore difficult experiences has a little more history than an innovative practice.

Resource

BBC News. (2024). Nurse’s lost book reveals WW1 art therapy for PTSD.