Mental Health has been recognized as a major issue in contemporary society where humans strive to survive without the hassles of their daily lives. Finding ways to achieve mental peace has led society to meditation, therapy sessions and now creative arts. Creative arts is a broader term that includes various forms of expression of thoughts that are harder to express in words. Music, Dances, Paints and even stories are some major forms of creative arts. This form of expression engages human creativity as such it has been found to have positive effects on the human mind. Research has shown that engaging in creative activities can have numerous psychological benefits. It can boost mood, improve cognitive function, and foster a sense of connection and community. Moreover, creative arts can serve as a powerful tool for self-discovery and personal empowerment, helping individual s navigate life's challenges with resilience and confidence. Contemplating on the gathered information and evidence behind the relation of art and mental health, one can get to know more through this blog.
ART and ART THERAPY
Britannica describes Art as “A visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination”. Art has been existing for ages and throughout history it has changed its forms and ways they are expressed. Even the reason for it to be created has varied over time, thus defining art can prove to be a difficult job. But simply it's a product of imagination and creativity that stirs emotion upon the consumers.
Art therapy started to be acknowledged as a legitimate therapeutic approach in the 1940s. It became clear to artists working in mental health settings that art might serve as a communication tool, particularly for people who struggled with verbal expression. The American Art Therapy Association was established in 1969, marking the start of art therapy as a profession.
Benefits of the practice of Art Therapy-
Art therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses the creative, nonverbal expression of art making to enhance mental, physical, and emotional health. It makes it easier for people to express themselves, resolve disagreements, boost their self-confidence, reduce stress, and gain insights. This innovative type of treatment is particularly helpful for people managing attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other conditions. In order to facilitate healing and personal development, art therapy integrates applied psychological theory, the creative process, and active art-making. In this case, the process of expressing oneself, managing emotions, resolving internal conflicts, and developing self-awareness is equally important as the actual work.
The Science Behind Art Therapy
Art therapy is effective because it activates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Logic and analytical thinking come from the left half of the brain, but creativity and intuition come from the right. Art therapy helps people access and integrate deeply ingrained emotions and experiences by activating both sides of the brain, which opens up channels to the unconscious mind.
Furthermore, Art therapy incorporates mindfulness training. The method of mindfulness is being totally focused on the job at hand and in the present moment. People find that by concentrating on the creative process, they may calm their thoughts and feel less stressed and anxious. Those who suffer from racing thoughts or unwanted memories may find particular benefit from this.
Regardless of artistic experience or skill, a study discovered that even 45 minutes of creative engagement greatly reduces stress in the body. This is frequently linked to the "flow" state that creative endeavors may induce in its participants, when they get so engrossed that they lose track of time and their surroundings, resulting in a reduction in cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Different Forms of Arts Therapy
This process of healing is practiced in various ways and forms of self expression and through the process exploring self expression and gaining personal growth and developing new coping skills. These different techniques incorporate different unique skills but it's not quite necessary to have acquired talent or expertise on any of the art forms.
Writing therapy, Drama therapy, Expressive therapy, Music Therapy, are some of the different forms of the creative arts therapy and the techniques used in art therapy include:
Collage and Mixed Media
Sand play
Sculpture and Clay work
Photography
Creative Writing
Music and Movement
Textile Art
Music Therapy and Mental Health
The use of music and/or musical components (such as harmony, rhythm, and tone) to achieve objectives like lowering stress levels or enhancing quality of life is known as Music Therapy. A medical professional known as a music therapist will speak with you to find out more about your requirements, experiences, and preferred music. From there, they will tailor each session to your needs. Along the process, they assess your progress and may collaborate with other medical professionals to organize your treatment.
Your unique requirements and goals will determine how many sessions you have, how long each session lasts, and what you do throughout each session. Writing music, performing music on an instrument, or singing are examples of music therapy activities. In certain sessions, you could hear music and discuss its significance.
More on Music Therapy- https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/therapy-types/music-therapy
Writing as Therapy
Writing therapy, also referred to as journal therapy, is precisely what it sounds like: therapeutic writing, usually done in a journal. One inexpensive, readily available, and adaptable type of treatment is writing therapy. It can be completed alone, with only a pen and person, or under the supervision of a mental health expert. It may also be worked on in a group setting, with writing-focused conversations. It can even be included in addition to another type of therapy as a supplement.
Writing therapy, in any form, may support an individual's personal development, allow them to express themselves creatively, and give them a sense of empowerment and control over their lives.
People who have experienced a terrible or severely stressful incident might greatly benefit from the healing power of carefully directed expressive writing toward particular subjects. Similar outcomes were seen when over 100 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis and asthma completed the identical writing activity in a different research. Compared to the control group, which wrote about emotionally neutral subjects, the individuals who wrote about the most stressful incident in their life had superior health ratings relating to their condition.
More on Writing Therapy- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-pregnant-pause/202008/the-write-prescription-depression-and-anxiety
Notable Figures Who Overcame issues Through Arts
Vincent Van Gogh-
Throughout his life, Vincent van Gogh struggled with serious mental health conditions such as anxiety, psychotic episodes, and depression. His connections with friends and family were volatile, and he is well-known for having spent time in psychiatric facilities.
Artistic Impact: Expressive Style: Van Gogh's unique brushwork, dramatic, spontaneous, and vibrant colors all convey the intensity of his emotions and the turmoil he was going through.
"Starry Night": Constructed during his sojourn in the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, this masterwork is thought to represent his psychological condition, with the undulating night sky reflecting his internal turmoil.
Kurt Cobain-
Lead Singer of Nirvana; Cobain battled addiction, despair, and persistent stomach pain. He frequently communicated his feelings of vulnerability, existential distress, and alienation.
Impact on Art: His music, especially those found on albums like "Nevermind" and "In Utero," struck a deep chord with a generation facing comparable problems. Songs like "Heart-Shaped Box" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" became anthems for a disillusioned youth, mirroring his own suffering.
Kanye West-
West is a musician, rapper, producer, and fashion designer. He has openly talked about his struggles with bipolar disorder and how it affects both his personal and professional lives.
The artist's albums, including "808s & Heartbreak" and "Ye," explore issues related to mental health, bereavement, and emotional distress. West's openness about his difficulties in his songs has spurred significant discussions about mental health in the music business and elsewhere.
Kusama Yayoi-
Performance artist who majorly works with sculptures and installation, Kusama has publicly talked about her problems with mental illness, which include obsessive thoughts and hallucinations. She chooses to live in a mental health facility, and she sees painting as a vital part of her therapy.
Art as Therapy: Kusama created her famous polka dot patterns and her immersive "Infinity Mirror Rooms" in direct response to her hallucinations. Through turning her visions into material works of art, Kusama regains control over her inner world. Her work encourages empathy and understanding by allowing viewers to enter her worldview in addition to acting as a coping strategy.
Gupta Subodh-
Visual artist and sculptor Gupta's work frequently confronts themes of identity, displacement, and the intricacies of modern Indian life, however she is not particularly renowned for her struggles with mental health.
Impact on Art: Gupta is renowned for his use of commonplace items in his sculptures, like tiffin boxes and cutlery, to reflect on India's socio economic changes. His art frequently addresses the tension and worry brought on by the quickening pace of globalization and industrialization.
Online Art therapy
Digital art therapy is a relatively new addition to the field of art therapy techniques and supplies. It is defined as "all forms of technology-based media, including digital collage, illustrations, films, and photography that are used by therapists to assist clients in creating art as part of the process of therapy." It encompasses all jobs that use computer keyboards, screens, or other electronic devices to make visuals for therapeutic reasons. Together with electronic procedures like photocopying, filming, videotaping, and electronic processing (computers or tablet devices), the range of digital art therapy approaches also includes instruments for creating, modifying, or changing images. There are numerous different types of photography, ranging from digital cameras and smartphones to single reflex cameras. Tablet technology, artificial intelligence, light painting, digital storytelling, animation, games, virtual reality (VR) and participatory environments, apps and other image-creation and film editing software, and other techno-media are some of the currently in-demand forms of these technologies.
Accessible Digital Sources for Art Practices-
Just colour- Digital doodling and coloring sources
Google arts and culture- Virtual famous art collections and exhibitions visualization.
DeviantArt- Online community to showcase art and for appreciation.
Skillshare- Online digital art and creative fields classes.
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