Minnesota Veterans Heal Through Music Program Completion

In Minneapolis, two veterans recently graduated from a 10-week guitar lesson program run by Guitars for Vets, a national nonprofit that provides free guitars and lessons to veterans to aid mental health and recovery. The graduation event, supported by Every Third Saturday, featured country singer Carl Wayne Meekins, who donated guitars and performed, emphasizing music as a vehicle for healing and expression. Veterans like Ariel Jarvis, who served in the Minnesota National Guard and faced challenges such as anxiety and depression, found the program beneficial for coping and community connection. Similarly, in Nashville, the nonprofit Musicians On Call brings live music performances to hospital patients, boosting spirits and providing emotional support during difficult treatments. These initiatives highlight music's therapeutic power, offering veterans and patients creative outlets to manage trauma, build social connections, and find hope through artistic engagement.