Osu United focuses on using traditional martial arts as a healing tool and "safe space" physically, mentally and emotionally for children and youth diagnosed with PTSD, depression, and other extreme traumas due to living in conflict regions.
The Importance of Physical Activity for Mental Health
*Excerpts from: Lamarre BW, Nosanchuk TA (June 1999). "Judo—the gentle way: a replication of studies on martial arts and aggression". Percept Mot Skills 88 (3 Pt 1): 992–6. 'Psychosocial Benefits of Martial arts: Myth or Reality?' By Brad Binder, Ph.D (1999). Gleser JM, Margulies JY, Nyska M, Porat S, Mendelberg H, Wertman E (June 1992). "Physical and psychosocial benefits of modified judo practice for blind, mentally retarded children: a pilot study".
While more conventional treatments such as weight training and psychotherapy can be of significant benefit, martial arts therapy can embody unique traits that other therapies don't incorporate into their practice. For example, in children with low self-esteem, this therapy can simultaneously develop areas such as self-defence skills (to defend against physical bullying), physical fitness, instructions on how to handle stressful scenarios in a physical or mental context, and most importantly self-confidence, a sense of self, single pointed focus, positive self-esteem and body image, as well as a spiritual groundedness.
One of the crucial features of the therapy is the type of martial art, as well as the lesson plans of the instructor. For instance, a Krav Maga program with a competition-oriented instructor will not provide the same experience as a Tai Chi instructor who emphasizes mindfulness of one's actions and thoughts. Although both Krav Maga and Tai Chi can be defined as martial arts, their histories, emphasis and other features are drastically different.
Responsibility of Martial Arts Therapy:
An important matter with martial arts therapy in a psychological context is the distinction between a therapeutic approach and a martial approach to the lessons. With the evolution of martial arts into combat systems (Krav Maga) and combat sports (Kickboxing, Mixed martial arts), many instructors and organizations teach only martial/combative techniques with little (if any) attention to philosophical, spiritual or societal issues. In other words, students may only be taught how to fight without lessons in the proper context for applying these techniques, something that is emphasized in more traditional martial art curricula.
Seeing as these philosophical/societal teachings are one of the specific therapeutic factors in martial arts study, studying an art without these teachings would be of little therapeutic benefit, and arguably detrimental to psychological health (Reynes, 2002). Sport combat style training with no spiritual/societal teachings involved has shown to increase and/or promote the inhibition of pro-social behaviours, particularly among youths and adolescents. Those affected with PTSD or other symptoms of trauma-based high stress and anxiety are prone to more outbursts of rage and aggression, whether it is via verbal or physical violence.
This is why our program only endorses the teachings of traditional martial arts with each teacher being carefully selected and screened. All Martial Artists affiliated with Caleb's Hope are of the utmost in character, discipline, ability and honour.
Studies have shown that traditional martial arts have greatly aided in improving the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of children. So much so, that it has even shown greater and longer lasting positive neurological effects than other physical activities.
In the early 1990s, an Israeli researcher decided to use his experience as a Martial Artist to use. As a former Judo Champion, he taught a modified version of Judo to children with significant visual, mental and physical impairments. The impairments ranged from blindness, mental retardation, and even cerebral palsy. The results were astounding. There was a greater increase in the physical and cognitive abilities of all the children studied than with previous forms of exercise. Not only were they increased, but they were longer lasting (Gleser 1992).
Where We Work:
United Attiak is a mentorship and therapy-based program targeting youth based in Northern Uganda who are war and AIDS orphans, former child soldiers and sex slaves, and girls who are victim to gender-based violence. This one-of-a-kind traditional martial arts, Parkour, and arts therapy program will aid in the rehabilitation of these children and youth that have been directly impacted by war, poverty and the AIDS crisis in the region. The martial arts program is open to women of all ages as it aids in the empowerment of women and provides good defence for gender-based violence. Gender-based violence is the number one killer of women globally and has been recognized by the United Nations as a health crisis for women.
Project Objectives:
- To help alleviate and cure symptoms of PTSD in persons living in Atiak Sub-County region through physical and arts based therapies.
- To help women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence and to teach both males and females in the community the importance of ending gender-based violence.
- Provide education and awareness of both mental and physical health and wellness: to help the community to see the direct link between mental and physical health.
- Raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and gender-based violence.
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