Art in the community for potentially vulnerable mental health groups

TLDR

Arts in Health is a rapidly expanding, successful, yet severely under‑funded provision in institutions and community settings, and detailed evaluations are needed to advance the field. The study demonstrates that art creation alone can sustainably improve mental and social wellbeing and analyzes various forms of arts involvement in health. The authors conducted a qualitative evaluation of a successful process‑based arts‑in‑health care provision for vulnerable mental health community groups. Process‑oriented arts‑in‑health projects are versatile, provide positive mental and social benefits, and require broader funding and further evaluation to realize their full potential.

Abstract

Purpose Drawing 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/approach A qualitative evaluation of a successful process‐based arts in health‐care provision to existing vulnerable mental health community groups is discussed. Findings While 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 implications More widespread, sustained funding and further evaluation and research for this accessible, cost‐effective means of health promotion in a community setting are needed. Originality/value Arts 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.