Art in the community for potentially vulnerable mental health groups

Abstract

PurposeDrawing on literature and the evaluation of a UK community Arts in Health project, this article aims first to demonstrate that, in spite of the common association in mental health practice between art and the use of psychotherapeutic techniques, involvement in art creation can, in itself, have a sustained and positive impact on the mental and social wellbeing of participants and, second, to give an analysis of the different forms of arts involvement in health.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative evaluation of a successful process‐based arts in health‐care provision to existing vulnerable mental health community groups is discussed.FindingsWhile the implementation of traditional forms of art therapy tends to be the preserve of those with specialist training, process‐orientated art for health projects have been found to be more versatile and are developments in which many practitioners potentially play an important part. Arts in Health provision in a community setting can offer positive health benefits, and aid health promotion.Practical implicationsMore widespread, sustained funding and further evaluation and research for this accessible, cost‐effective means of health promotion in a community setting are needed.Originality/valueArts in Health, in institutions (such as prison and hospital) as well as community, is a rapidly expanding, successful and attractive, yet severely under‐funded provision. Descriptive in‐depth evaluations and critical analyses of the field, such as that presented here, need to be made available in order to develop the field practically and theoretically.

‘They'd Rather Go Play Footy’: an Exploratory Study of the Enjoyment and Benefits of the Arts in Western Australia's Remote Murchison Region

“…The arts are considered good for the health of society since they provide interest, amusement, satire, challenge, and vision (Macnaughton et al ., 2005). In a clinical and therapeutic setting, the arts, namely visual arts, theatre, music and dance, have been used as a means for self‐expression, to increase self‐esteem, alleviate stress, and assist in the management of pain (Staricoff, 2004; Argyle and Bolton, 2005). The performing arts, including festivals, concerts and regional touring shows, are viewed as a way of bringing community members together for socialising and networking opportunities, and entertainment value (Anwar McHenry, 2009c).…”

Learning in Third Spaces: Community Art Studio as Storefront University Classroom

“…Involvement in community creative arts can, in itself, have a sustained and positive impact on the mental and social wellbeing of participants (Argyle and Bolton 2005), support the inclusion of marginalized populations (Maidment and Macfarlane 2011), and be a vehicle for community development and social cohesion (Clover 2007;Newman et al 2003). It is, in fact, the central focus of this special issue.…”

Receituário Mais que Especial: uma intervenção urbana para pensar arte e pesquisa no contexto da Reforma Psiquiátrica

“…Las mismas pueden promover sensaciones de bienestar, emociones positivas, auto confianza, auto valoración, capacidades para la socialización, relaciones grupales positivas, redes comunitarias, disfrute, diversión, distensión, cohesión, compromiso, comunicación comunitaria, reducción del estrés, etc. 1,2,8,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] . Dada la prevalencia dentro del sector salud de la investigación cuantitativa, y la dificultad existente en el mismo para incorporar o al menos dialogar con paradigmas de investigación interpretativos, los estudios en arte y salud se han centrado en demostrar los beneficios del arte en la mejora de la vida de 'La cohesión social es salud' Proyectos que enfatizan la creatividad como herramienta para mejorar las relaciones comunitarias.…”

“…Dentro de los resultados que los proyectos pueden lograr, los investigadores identifican factores individuales (autovaloración, autoestima, diversión, confianza en uno mismo, orgullo por los logros conseguidos, sensaciones de disfrute, bienestar y pertenencia, reducción del estrés, habilidades expresivas, motivación, compromiso, comprensión de uno mismo, habilidades para la negociación y resolución de problemas, desarrollo de identidades positivas) y factores colectivos: al interior del grupo (amistad, sociabilidad, relaciones de confianza, habilidades para la organización) y con la sociedad (construir una imagen positiva de las personas que viven en contextos de vulnerabilidad social, erigir capacidades locales basadas en aspectos comunitarios positivos, combatir inequidades en salud, generar orgullo de los grupos marginados, incremento del sentido del derecho, de redes sociales, de vínculos comunitarios e inclusión social) 1,2,5,8,9,11,22,21,[23][24][25][26][27]29,[30][31][32] . En relación a los procesos que facilitan dichos resultados, la literatura sugiere que son más exitosos aquellos proyectos que a) focalizan en los procesos creativos e imaginativos, y en la producción de arte de calidad; b) no necesariamente establecen vínculos ente las actividades artísticas y contenidos sociales o educacionales (muchos participantes desaprueban estas conexiones); c) construyen espacios distendidos y acogedores que facilitan la interacción entre los participantes y de éstos con los docentes; y d) trabajan para que la comunidad local se involucre y apropie del espacio que se ha generado [24][25][26][27][28] .…”