Our July 2021 Lunch and Learn focused on the intersection of behavioral health and art (view recording here). Sewn Arts joined us to share research, examples, and opportunities to utilize art, music, and other forms of creativity that aid prevention and recovery efforts. Sewn Arts is a nonprofit organization that works throughout Georgia to aid care providers and health & human service agencies incorporate evidence-based art interventions that improve individual and community health.
The power of art as a trauma-informed behavioral health resource is well-supported and deeply inspiring. For those unfamiliar with the practice of art therapy, this page reviews what it is and isn’t, while this scientific article reviews the merits of multiple arts-based therapies. Though practicing art in an individual context may not fall under the definition of therapy, it can still serve as a catalyst for experiencing positive emotions and a sense of calm wellbeing. Experts at The American Art Therapy Association speak here on the ability of art to address childhood trauma through allowing children to express adversity that their language cannot describe. Witnessing or creating art fosters a sense of awe that can increase wellbeing and even decrease inflammation and stress - major contributors to many health conditions. With this in mind, it is easy to recognize art as a huge and accessible asset for treating both physical and mental illness.
There are a number of wonderful organizations who utilize art as a healthcare tool, and thanks to them the number of lives touched by art grows every day. Our friends at Sewn Arts help mothers create lullabies for their babies in the hopes of optimizing bonding and development. At this Atlanta hospital, music therapists have teamed up with mothers to record soothing tracks that can be played to infants even when their mothers aren’t around. Tanner Hospitals is another hospital system that has recognized the benefit of art in healing. Check out the art collection and programs that help make their buildings welcoming and serene for patients. National organization RxArt has taken it a step further by commissioning world-class artists to create bright, joyful art on the physical walls and machines of children’s hospitals. Finally, Georgia-based organization R2ise To Recovery is creating a space for people with mental health struggles and addictions to heal through performance based art. They host virtual and in-person weekly meetings dedicated to utilizing art in recovery and growth.
We could all benefit from the tenets and practices of art therapy. This webinar by the Swedish Medical Foundation offers the opportunity to actually practice techniques with a mental health professional. Even accounts of the lives touched by art can bring a sense of inspiration and hope. These touching anecdotes from art therapists help paint a picture of the understanding, connection, and transformative nature of youth-focused art therapy, while this story tells how one woman uses creativity to transform trauma into flowers of reconciliation. We hope these testimonies of individuals and organizations help readers consider how we can continue to further art as a therapeutic practice of resilience.
ABOUT US: Resilient Georgia is a statewide coalition of more than 100 partners and 600 stakeholders committed to building a stronger, more resilient Georgia. Through a network of public and private partners, Resilient Georgia is creating a pipeline of trauma-informed behavioral health services and resources that support child and family wellness. This integrated system includes prevention, early intervention, research, advocacy and policy, and System of Care implementation and coordination. For more information about our work, check out the Resilient Georgia website. You can also find us on social media: @resilientgeorgia on Instagram and @resilientga on Facebook.
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