Assessing the potential use of art therapy in the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Department of Community Mental Health

Abstract

UK Armed Forces personnel experiencing mental health difficulties are not, at present, offered art therapy as a treatment option. This paper considers the prevalence of mental health problems for personnel currently serving in the Armed Forces compared with the UK general population. The current treatment pathway for UK Armed Forces personnel is explained and compared with a review of literature regarding art therapy for the similar client groups; veterans in the UK and, military personnel in the United States, Russia and Israel. Much of the UK media discussion about military mental health focuses on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The veterans charity Combat Stress (along-side other charities) carries out vital work with PSTD sufferers. However, it is highlighted that PTSD is not the most prevalent mental health presentation for UK Armed Forces personnel. It is hypothesised that art therapy could be a suitable treatment option for UK Armed Forces personnel with mental health issues and it is proposed that formal research should be undertaken, to determine the efficacy of art therapy with this client group at one of the Ministry of Defence Departments of Community Mental Health.

A small-scale study exploring the efficacy of scale modelling as an open intervention for military veterans with mental health conditions

“…Although art therapy is a specialised psychotherapy, occupational therapists also use art as an intervention (Preston, 2019). With emphasis on the creativity and enjoyment found in the activity, art has been shown to benefit self-expression as a meaningful occupation with health and well-being advantages for veterans (Preston, 2019).…”

“…The stigma associated with mental health is one of the biggest acknowledged barriers for veterans seeking support (Association, 2015), and may have contributed to high suicide rates in the UK veteran population (Ministry of Defence, 2021). It can take on average 13 years to ask for assistance (NICE, 2018; Preston, 2019). Services to support individuals exist but are under-subscribed with 60% of veterans indicating that the care they receive is either inadequate or non-existent (Help for Heroes, 2019).…”

The power of the art: the importance of images in art therapy literature

“…Within this issue, we are delighted to publish the winning essay of our Art Therapy New Practitioner Essay Prize 2018-2020 (Preston, 2019) and two runners up (Furneaux-Blick, 2019 and Hollingsbee, 2019). Many congratulations to the worthy winners and thank you to all those who submitted manuscripts.…”