Art has been a form of therapy for people throughout history. More recently, studies have shown that creating art has had positive results for groups and individuals. The effects can be found in the individual with a mental illness as well as helping to build relationships between them and the surrounding community. These benefits can also be found at the Vision Quest Studio in Bradford, Vermont, where the director, Bob Claflin, LCMHC, provides an environment to create art with three men with mental illnesses.
Art therapy is the combination of visual expression and therapeutic healing. Historically, it has been known that art is beneficial, as it is one of the oldest forms of healing: art has been recognized for its positive effects physically, …show more content…
The American Art Therapy Association states that research has confirmed that using art as creative self-expression “helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight” (2014). Towers Above is a mental health care community arts group that uses art and creativity to promote positive mental health and well-being, as well as providing a place for like-minded people to develop social skills in safe surroundings (Meeson, 2012). The members have a broad range of mental health conditions and their ages are from 18 years and above. There are several projects for people with different conditions and skill levels. This art program focuses on community involvement in self-expression rather than the psychotherapeutic aspect of art. The user-led art programs were voluntarily evaluated by the participants with a questionnaire that “revealed the almost unanimously positive attitude of everyone involved” (Meeson, 2012, p. 36). There were reports of improved social skills, increased self-esteem, independence, concentration, and even some accounts of people becoming less dependent on prescribed medication (Meeson, 2012). The conclusion of Meeson’s article is that this art project has many beneficial effects on the lives of the members who attend: it provides a setting where …show more content…
An article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ, 2012) discusses the results of a randomized trial that studied 417 adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. For 12 months the participants met for 90 minutes weekly in one of three groups where they took part in either art therapy with a variety of materials and standard care, other activities not related to art and standard care, or standard care alone. Results of this study and a comparison with other research indicated that group art therapy “did not improve global function, the mental health, or other health related outcomes” (p.1) of the participants but “cannot rule out the possibility that group art therapy benefits people with schizophrenia who are motivated to use this treatment” (BMJ, 2012). The length of this study, the weekly time period, a group setting compared to individual therapy, and the attendance and interest level of the participant should all be considered before disregarding the effectiveness of art for people with mental