Sanación, de Juan Esteban. Colección Kripties Fundación.
ART THERAPY AS A MEANS OF EXPRESSION AND HEALING
Many people have found art to be a way of expressing and relieving their emotions and mental health problems. Art therapy has become a valuable technique to help people release suppressed emotions and overcome mental health problems. In some cases, art has been a means of combating anxiety, self-examination and psychological abuse by providing a space for self-awareness and emotional release. Colours and artistic creation can act as a channel for expressing emotions and feelings that are difficult to verbalise.
ART AS A WINDOW TO MENTAL HEALTH: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES AND PROJECTS
At the intersection of art and mental health, powerful stories of healing, empowerment and awareness emerge. Over the years, art has proven to be an effective therapeutic tool, not only for self-awareness and self-expression, but also as a means to address and raise awareness of mental health issues. In this article, we explore outstanding projects from around the world that illustrate the synergy between art and mental health, reflecting one of the Kripties Foundation’s core focuses.
The Theatre of Life project: This project focuses on artistic creation among young people with and without mental health disorders. Through theatre, it aims to combat the social stigma associated with mental health. The project includes exchanges and creative sessions, culminating in the production of a play. They take place in the Cal Ninyo creative space in Sant Boi de Llobregat and involve young people from different San Juan de Dios centres in Spain.
MINDSCAPES: AN INNOVATIVE WELLCOME TRUST PROJECT
The Mindscapes project, funded by the Wellcome Trust in London, is a global initiative to address the mental health crisis by combining scientific research and the arts. In Bengaluru, India, for example, the Namma Katte project provides a space for women to embroider their personal experiences. As well as providing a platform for self-expression, the project acts as a sanctuary for reflection and peace, highlighting the importance of mental health in cultures where it is often considered a privilege to talk about it.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE
Columbia University’s Global Mental Health Response works with artists affected by mental illness. This initiative uses art in its online training platform, the Global Mental Health Academy, to address a range of mental health conditions, including mood and stress-related disorders. Artists such as Gary Peabody and Susan Spangenberg contribute artwork that reflects how art can be a tool for understanding and expression in the context of mental health.
WHO HEALING ARTS CAMPAIGN
The World Health Organization, in collaboration with cultural partners, has launched the Healing Arts Campaign to address the mental health crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This global campaign includes art auctions and events to raise funds for mental health treatment and recovery, and to highlight the importance of art as a healing tool.
WHO AND THE ART AND HEALTH PROJECT
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Arts and Health project highlights the value of the arts in promoting mental health and well-being in general. WHO has integrated arts interventions into various health objectives, demonstrating how the arts can be an ally in promoting health and well-being.
REFLECTIONS
These international projects illustrate the significant impact that the arts can have on mental health. By providing a channel for self-expression, empowerment and healing, art becomes a window into a world where personal emotions and experiences can be understood and shared. At the Kripties Foundation, we recognise and value the crucial role that art plays in mental health and wellbeing, and we strive to support initiatives that bring these two vital fields together. By linking art and mental health, we not only improve the lives of individuals, but also enrich our culture and society.
