There are many more things, between heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio. — Shakespeare, Hamlet.
Art has always been a catacomb in comprehending a person’s thought process and it is unfair to say that it plays little role in understanding the human psyche in general. Over the centuries, various artists have been isolated from the society either by their own will or by the society due to the traits they possessed. There has been a more profound connection between art and mental discords, although neither are complementary of each other on the contrary, the former adds up to solve the latter.
Mental Therapy (Source-Pixabay)
Art is perceived in numerous ways; perhaps a beté noir for few and a creative notion for others, meditation for few and blather for others. However over here the researchers bring altogether a new outlook that reflects on the salutary effect of art; as a mental therapy.
Scientists and researchers have spent donkey hours bringing this idea conclusively to declare art as therapeutic for people suffering with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma and loss, cognitive problems, neurological issues and many more.
In a definition by American Art Therapy Association (AATA), it is clearly noted that art plays such an imminent role, “Art Therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem”.
There have been considerable increase in the number of programs employing the use of arts and crafts for mental healthcare around the world for example, Cornucopia (a peer run University Health Services initiative) focuses on using alternative rehabilitative strategies to cure mental illness, especially working closely with the students of University of Wisconsin (United States). The university also already collaborates with various organisations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and outreach coordinator of UW NAMI commented on the therapy,” It can often be difficult for people to express themselves with words and art gives an opportunity for healing, introspections, and reflection that may help people remove themselves, in part from any internal strife they may be experiencing.”
Art work as a result of the therapy in one of the art workshops, (Source-Pixabay)
There have been studies that also refer to the function of chemical release in brain whilst practicing art; enabling people to use different parts of their brain and exercising them. In case of PTSD, a study by Alexander Fritz (pyschiatrist at Rogers Memorial Hospital) shows that around 8 million Americans suffer from this health problem at a given time with women twice as likely to get affected as men.” The researchers focus on using art as therapy as it provides a succourable environment for the mental growth of the patients and simultaneously encourages self discovery and self expression (Renee Philipps,2017).
Art Illustration, (Source- Pixabay)
There have been organisations such as Mental Health Foundation (Scotland, UK), Friends of the Australian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ACATA), Art Therapy Without Borders (ATWB), mostly non profit in their primary nature, working in collaborations with other private entities to support arts and crafts in providing prolonged exposure to the patients in order to debilitate the symptoms and treat them.The search for alternative remedies to mental illness as a tool is an ongoing process and shall render positive results as it has done in the case of Art.
Author- Abhineet Narang
References-
- https://badgerherald.com/news/2018/04/03/local-art-based-mental-health-program-looks-to-broaden-reach-collaborate-with-uw/
- https://badgerherald.com/news/2018/03/08/hospital-adds-two-new-programs-for-those-suffering-with-ptsd-mood-disorders/
- https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/art-helps-victims-of-mental-illness/
