Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Walk.
Thomas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began to struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder mid-deployment while serving in the army. I experienced something that I simply could not comprehend. For a long time, I was lost and overwhelmed by my illness until I even got to a point where I attempted to commit suicide several times. During that time, the loss of a friend I served with to suicide opened my eyes to the reality of my own situation.
Since then, I have used art in many forms to find my own voice and better understand myself and my illness. From spoken word to acrylic paint pouring, the majority of my art is a self-aware, purposeful exercise in mental wellness. It is a constant attempt at further explaining to myself what it is I am going through. The amazing thing is it inadvertently became a message of support to a lot of people listening.
Over the last several years I have worked to use my artistic talents to share the simple underlying message that we are not alone. Too many people believe no one will understand what they are going through, but my art strives to boldly prove them wrong. I believe that while our trauma was unique, our response, or the overall outcome, is not.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t.
I still struggle constantly with seeing my own value. That makes it extremely difficult to push forward sometimes because a lot of what I do currently relies on my talent. Fortunately, I have a great support system in place to remind me to keep going.
Finances are always an issue. Creating something uniquely your own takes a lot of time and money. I’ve relied on others for space and support in the past, and sometimes still do, but those relationships are never guaranteed. Eventually the goal is to own my own space from which to offer the community a variety of artistic workshops and events geared toward mental wellness.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As an artist, I draw in many forms, paint in many forms, and I write both fiction and poetry. I am a spoken word artist, and I dabble with an A.I. music tool to help me bridge the gap between poetry and music. I am a photographer and a graphic artist.
As an advocate, my specialty would be poetry and spoken word. I have found a unique talent to share my personal experiences in a way that really helps others. Most people that know me have met me at an open mic somewhere or one of my workshops, so my poetry is what they know most.
I am most proud of the creative writing workshop I host as a peer support specialist at the Battle Creek VAMC. It is an opportunity for me to share my personal journey and perhaps inspire others to do the same. I think what sets me apart is my experience. I survived and thrived through my art, and I believe I can help someone else do the same thing.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Honesty & Integrity
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mentalhealththroughart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thomastawalkveteranpoet/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577640521403
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thomastawalkveteranpoet
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/thomas-walk-225734737?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
