Search

Background: This paper explores the mental health and wellbeing outcomes of a massed community choir program in Australia. Methods: This study employed a mixed methods approach. Data were collected via a survey of choir participants (N = 305), four qualitative interviews and focus groups with facilitators and participants (N = 22), and two workshops with organising staff (N = 5). Questions were derived from a co-designed program logic, and data were triangulated and analysed thematically. Results: Participants reported feeling a sense of connectedness (psychological), but also experiencing connection (social) with their fellow singers. Psychological outcomes included the sensations of affect, arousal, and affirmation. Social outcomes included experiencing belonging, inclusion, and sharing. These positive psycho- social experiences promoted positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes in the large group of participating singers. Conclusions: This paper addresses gaps in our understanding about the mental health and wellbeing outcomes fostered by community choirs at scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a mental health-awareness audio tour of the National Gallery, London, and evaluates the development and implementation of the tour. This smartphone-based audio tour was co-produced by Gallery staff, young people with lived experience of mental health issues, academics, and technologists. Interviews (N = 22) were conducted with developers and data-collectors (who had gathered feedback from Gallery visitors who undertook the tour) with responses analysed thematically. Participants highlighted the value of the arts to raise awareness about mental health, and the importance of teamwork, lived experience, and co-production, but also raised the challenges of integrating low-budget projects into large-scale venues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the environmental, interpersonal, and personal outcomes of music performance in a hospital oncology setting. An original, qualitative research study examined the impact of live music for staff, patients, and carers. Data were collected using a multi-method approach of observations and semi-structured interviews and were analysed using inductive and theory-driven theming that was shaped by a determinants of health framework. The research found that live music promoted stronger relationships and calmer environments, among other environmental, social and individual outcomes. Improved communication between staff through the creation of a more supportive environment was a pertinent finding of the research. No negative effects were reported. We discuss research findings in the context of relevant literature and suggest recommendations for future hospital-based live music programs. Results of this study indicate that live music interventions impacted individual, interpersonal, social and environment factors that led to health and wellbeing outcomes for participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details findings from a project on the potential for arts activities and art therapy to support the mental health and wellbeing of children living in Kashmir. The intervention engaged 30 school children over the course of one year who produced various forms of artwork and performances. In this paper, we report on project impacts, drawing on some of our qualitative measures including observations and interviews. Our research details impacts and improvements in areas of emotional expression, belonging, and agency. We also found an important role for schools to create safe, secure, and caring spaces to allow students to express themselves and work through traumatic feelings in a non-judgemental way. School-based arts interventions can play an important role in the mental health and wellbeing of children. Critical here, however, are dedicated space, time, and resources to provide a supportive environment and to sustain activity in long-term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper outlines and introduces the context for the Special Edition on the arts, social health and the military. The social imperative of arts work in this area is founded on current statistics of between 18% and 30% of those returning from war zones to civilian life can be expected to suffer mental health issues, which can lead to family breakdown, homelessness and other social problems. In the USA for example, there have been 103,792 cases of post-traumatic stress (PTS) diagnosed in returned service personnel (in the period from 2000 to 2012). The paper provides a brief overview of the history of PTS and the ways in which arts-based strategies have been integrated into this history. The paper discusses the contemporary context of arts and health with military personnel, arguing that considerable work has grown out of alliances with small veteran support organisations interested in finding new and complimentary approaches to supporting ex-service personnel on their transition from military to civilian life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian community arts and mental health is described through its 40-year history with peaks of activity coinciding with federal labor governments and the establishment of four independent health promotion agencies from the late 1980s. The paper then takes a thematic approach to discussing the development of national approaches to supporting arts and health practice, data sources, current research and evaluation and advocacy challenges. The paper concludes by suggesting that under the current federal labor government arts and health may benefit from increasing recognition of the intrinsic benefits of arts participation and cultural rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an overview of current ethical concerns in image-based research. It considers the influence of institutional structures such as regulatory frameworks, professional guidelines and institutional review boards before focusing on issues of data collection and dissemination. The paper discusses informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality, specifically in relation to how they may differ in image-based compared to word-based research. It is suggested that a situated approach to image-based ethics is better able to take account of the concrete, everyday situations within which ethics are negotiated between researchers and research participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In line with recovery theories, psychosocial programmes for people diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI) should focus more on well-being and social connectivity outcomes rather than clinical symptoms. This paper assesses the impact of creative workshops participation on the psychological well-being, social connectivity and subjective experience of people diagnosed with SMI. Method: After participating in a creative workshop in a museum, 19 people, including service users, keyworkers, the art facilitator and a psychologist were interviewed. Four observers participated in the workshop and provided information about the creative process by means of a discussion group. Data were analysed in accordance with thematic analysis methodology and triangulated in order to obtain reliability. Results: Five essential categories were identified: learning process, social connection, psychological well-being, institutional change and mutual recovery. Conclusions: Creative activities may cause a transformation of the image of dysfunction associated with mental illness as well as promoting health and recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reader Groups (RGs) involve a skilled facilitator reading aloud complex literature in a group setting, followed by group discussion of the text. This paper explores the experience of eight individuals with mental health problems participating in general community RGs, relating this to making sense of life experiences and relationships inside and outside the group. Method: Semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Five master themes emerged from the analysis: Boundaries and Rules of Engagement, Literature as an Intermediary Object, Self as Valued, Worthy, Capable, Community and Togetherness in Relational Space, and Changing View of Self, World, Others. Conclusion: The findings are discussed in relation to existing research and psychological theory, highlighting the literature as a key mediator in psychological processes involved in participants' experiences of RGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a qualitative study of the subjective impact of a visual arts project in a Mental Health NHS Trust in England. A qualitative approach was adopted including documentary analysis, focus groups and over 50 in-depth interviews. Arts were found to help shape healing environments through four processes: modernisation; enhancing valued features; diminishing negative aspects; and creating opportunities for service users and staff. Responses to the artworks were diverse, and modernisation was sometimes perceived as diminishing staff and service users' control over the environment. Arts seemed to be strongly valued when they enhanced control and enabled service users to affirm non-stigmatised identities. Arts projects in similar settings are likely to face complex issues of control, identity and stake. A key challenge is balancing “prestige” with “authenticity.” While consensus may be difficult to achieve, the study points towards the high value that stakeholders place on arts in these settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undocumented immigrants and refugees are more likely to suffer from psychosocial disorders. In this pilot study, an art-based intervention is described and assessed, with a sample of 11undocumented immigrants who recently came to southern Spain on a small boat. The art-based intervention is assessed using a pre-post design and four questionnaires, which consist of The General Health Questionnaire, Beck's Depression Inventory, the Barcelona Immigrant Stress Scale and Carol Ryff's Psychological Well Being Scale. Furthermore, five participants were interviewed before and after the intervention and a thematic analysis of the transcriptions was carried out. A significant reduction of depressive symptoms with a large effect size was found. An increase of reflexive discourse and the feeling of belonging after the intervention was also observed. The study suggests that the art-based intervention decreased depressive symptoms and stress, redirecting the narratives of the participants towards the future and increasing the sense of community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of a growing body of literature on incorporating visual media in researching well-being and mental health, this systematic review examined the evidence of using photography-based research methods in exploring recovery from mental distress, their outcomes, but also limitations and challenges encountered by researchers. Six cross-disciplinary electronic databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Arts & Humanities) were systematically searched resulting in a total of 15 qualitative and mixed-methods studies included in a thematic synthesis. Photo-elicitation and photovoice were identified as the main photographic methods employed in recovery research along with less common, but nonetheless creative, techniques. Four key themes were identified through thematic analysis in photography-based recovery studies: enhanced understanding, collaboration and empowerment, situatedness, and storytelling. The results of this review revealed photography as a valuable methodological tool with potential to contribute to conceptualising recovery from the stance of research participants, but also facilitate and support their recovery processes. Recovery research can benefit from the use of photographic methods that are widely accessible, versatile, and interactive. They may offer mental health researchers alternative ways to explore individuals' perspective on recovery in ways that are creative, empowering, and supportive of their recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the experiences of a group of adults with a history of substance misuse taking part in a novel, multi-centre cultural intervention: Creative Conversations, including the impact of the project on participants' mental health. A qualitative approach was used including a Visual Matrix and observation in order to explore the experiences of 10 participants recruited from drug and alcohol services. The results indicated positive impacts on mental health including a growing sense of competence, engagement, social integration and a sense that the project provided therapeutic support that translated into integrating creative activities into their everyday habits. Cultural interventions like Creative Conversations demonstrate positive impacts on mental health, engaging individuals who may find it difficult to access services such as those with substance misuse issues, and play an important role in sustaining and promoting mental wellbeing in the community. Despite positive findings, projects such as this require adequate staff training and sustained funding in order to provide wider benefits to those with mental health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting the wellbeing of young people is a growing issue internationally. Reviews of adult studies suggest the potential of group singing to meet this agenda. This review aimed to examine current evidence regarding the effects of group singing on the wellbeing and psychosocial outcomes of children and young people. A systematic integrative review of electronic databases, including primary research studies which examined wellbeing or psychosocial outcomes for children and young people involved in group singing, yielded thirteen studies. Conclusions about the effectiveness of group singing could not be drawn from quantitative studies, which were of low quality. Qualitative synthesis indicates group singing may support young people's wellbeing through mechanisms of 'social connectedness' and confidence. Current conclusions are limited and additional, high quality qualitative and quantitative research is required to build on these findings. Further careful study may support the development and funding of group singing projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many patients with end-stage kidney disease require haemodialysis, a treatment that requires attending hospital three times a week for four hours each visit. This treatment impacts profoundly on mental health. Arts-based interventions for patients receiving haemodialysis could address the impact of this treatment; however, there is no consensus on methods of implementation and mechanisms underlying these interventions in specific clinical contexts. Using a realist approach, relevant articles were synthesised to inform theory relating to the mechanism and implementation of complex arts-based interventions for haemodialysis patients. The theoretical framework includes two implementation phases, firstly delivery of person-centred art activities during haemodialysis and secondly, display of completed artwork. This intervention triggers mechanisms including flow and social capital. Implementation is hindered by constraints of the haemodialysis unit and patients' lack of confidence in their artistic skills. These issues can be addressed through aflexible approach to implementation and support from healthcare professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. Even though emerging evidence suggests that participation in arts-based group programs are helpful in supporting mental health, the field lacks an established theorical framework. This study explored the extent to which participants' experiences of singing or creative writing groups aligned with theorising proposed by the social cure approach.. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 choir members, and 23 creative writing group members with chronic mental health conditions at two time points. Transcripts of the interviews were examined by four coders using thematic analysis.. Consistent with social cure theorising, participation in the choir and creative writing group facilitated meeting participants' needs for belonging, support, self-efficacy, purpose, and positive emotions.. This study demonstrated the psychosocial mechanisms by which participation in arts-based groups can enhance mental health. We conclude that engagement with the social cure framework may be useful to structure practice in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The United Kingdom All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing was formed in 2014 and, the following year, initiated an Inquiry into the relationship between arts engagement, health and wellbeing. This led to a substantial report being launched in Parliament in July 2017. Methods: The Inquiry comprised 16 round-table discussions, a series of expert meetings and a lengthy period of desk-based research. The latter applied a realist method in seeking to reconcile policy, practice and evidence. Consideration of the social determinants of health formed the theoretical framework. Results: Evidence was found of a beneficial relationship between arts engagement, health and wellbeing across the life course. Conclusions: Arts engagement can mitigate the social determinants of health by influencing perinatal mental health and child cognitive development; shaping educational and employment opportunities and compensating for work-related stress; building individual resilience and enhancing communities. Further research is needed in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Starting in 2013, the Mental Health Youth Action Board, made up of 15 teens ages 15–18, was created to advise a large children's hospital on improvements in mental health care and produce social action projects to impact community perceptions of mental health. Methods: This participatory qualitative case study explored the experiences of 14 young people who participated in the Mental Health Youth Action Board between 2013 and 2016. Results: There were two higher order themes: process and outcomes. Process-related themes included how this was a unique leadership experience, the importance of the arts-based approach, and value of the intentionally constructed storytelling process. These processes led to youth growing as advocates for mental health. Conclusions: Arts-based approaches to social action that allow youth to share personal experiences of stigmatized topics can promote healing and support their growth as leaders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Roving Diagnostic Project, which is a project related to mental health problems. It discusses the diagnostic labelling, the use of psychiatric terminology with biomedical diagnostic systems, psychiatric labels with negative attributes like emotional instability and violence, investigation of public understanding of diagnosis within cultural settings.

Background The arts can increase public awareness of mental health. Stigma about psychosis remains high despite common occurrences of psychotic experiences in the general population (e.g. hearing voices, seeing visions, and other unusual sensory experiences). Targeted approaches may therefore benefit stigma reduction. This project aimed to produce an immersive art installation that increased public understanding of psychotic experiences. Methods Development stages included workshops with people with lived experience, training actors to perform "voices", sourcing artworks, and producing a voice hearing simulation and video installation. Results The exhibition was implemented as intended, gained positive visitor feedback (N = 150), felt immersive, enhanced subjective understanding of voice hearing, increased compassion and was not unduly stressful. A production team meeting (N = 10) identified exhibition strengths, challenges, and potential modifications. Conclusions This successful, large-scale pilot of an immersive art exhibition combined creative, academic, and experiential perspectives. It enabled visitors to "hear voices" and increased their understanding of psychotic experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article is a process evaluation of a three-arm randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing the effects of creative interventions on symptoms of postnatal depression (PND) in new mothers. Methods: Analyses of quantitative evaluation data from 91 participants and qualitative interviews and focus groups with 80 participants and 3 members of staff. Results: Key assumptions of the RCT, including how the delivery of the intervention was achieved and what the intervention involved, are explored. Data suggest that the intervention was delivered as planned with a high level of fidelity. Key uncertainties surrounding the project, in particular unanticipated challenges that had to be overcome during the RCT, are also discussed and simple recommendations for improvement are made. Conclusion: This process evaluation aims to illuminate the outcome and mechanisms data from the RCT and enable organisations or individuals to ascertain the feasibility of establishing their own creative classes for women with symptoms of PND. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Set in the Pacific nation of Samoa, this study contributes knowledge about art, mental health and trauma recovery for people within a non-Western context. A total of 22 youth and young adults from two residential services participated in a six month weekly art programme set within a health promotion context. Methods: Focus group discussions with staff and consumers explored the participant experience of art making. Focus group data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The study revealed art making in the recovery context supported enhanced levels of self-awareness, a sense of identity, belonging and of being contributors to society. Conclusions: Making art in the group supported participants' sense of voice, empowerment, agency and the capacity to make a social contribution within their respective communities during a period of dislocation from the village and extended family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluations of participatory arts and mental health projects have consistently found improvements in mental wellbeing but the part played by the creative aspects, as distinct from the benefits of social interaction, remains unclear. Methods: This study explored the specific part played by the creative aspects of introductory arts courses that aim to improve mental well-being. Nine course participants consented to recording of accreditation assessment meetings held with them towards the end of their course. Results: Thematic analysis identified themes relating to two categories: creative processes and the learning that ensued. The creative processes were playful experimentation and inspiration. Learning processes revolved around learning to learn and artistic development. Conclusions: Previous studies have found play, inspiration and learning to be associated with well-being. It therefore seems reasonable to conclude that the creative aspects of the courses did play an important part in improving participants' well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rural Art Roadshow was designed to build community resilience, reduce stigma and promote a positive image of mental health in rural Tasmania, Australia by show-casing a travelling exhibition of art submitted by Tasmanian community members affected by mental illness. The project combined the benefits of art as therapy, and the art show as a community event to increase social inclusion, and facilitate positive conversations about mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A variety of cultural activities can be used to raise awareness of mental health issues that provide artistic opportunities for those experiencing mental illness, and for outreach to communities who are less likely to engage with the arts. Method: This study evaluated the impact of two lightbox exhibitions in urban public spaces in London, England, using interlinked crosssectional surveys. Numerical data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis used to analyse textual data. Results: The findings indicated that the artwork challenged negative attitudes towards mental illness, created empathy with artists and provided a forum for reflection about mental health. Conclusions: This mode of exhibition raises awareness of mental health, reaches an audience that may be marginalized from mainstream cultural activity and helps build resilience and civic pride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that adult education classes have a positive impact on well-being, but whether this is true for all course activities is unknown. Methods: A UK adult education charity ran four singing classes, two craft classes and a creative writing class for the purpose of this study. Written responses to open questions about health, well-being and social lives were collected from participants at the end of the 7-month courses. Results: The classes enhanced well-being by improving mood and providing a sense of belonging. The classes helped participants develop self-confidence, create and strengthen relationships, and encouraged more active lives. Participants valued meeting people from their community and used these ties to access information about local opportunities. However, some participants reported negative experiences linked to unfavourable self–other comparison. Conclusions: These results highlight how regular adult education classes involving creativity can enhance well-being and help community integration regardless of the subject studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an introduction to the papers published in the journal including an overview of the state of mental health in Australia, one article on innovative research on how visual arts enhance mental healthcare environments and one on a unique puppetry intervention program developed to guide and motivate families to reduce television viewing time.

Background: This article is based on the Arts+Minds research project which investigated the experience of arts participation for mental health service users in Cork, Ireland, and the potential of integrating the arts into mental health care. Methods: Based on the principle of user-controlled definitions of recovery, the voice of service users was central in this research. The authors used participatory observation methods and conducted qualitative interviews with project participants (service users, artists and mental health staff) to explore the impact of arts participation on service users and service structure and culture. Results: The research demonstrated the transformative potential of the arts to create environments conducive to recovery through empowerment, connection-making, confidence-building, hope, story-telling and story-making. Conclusions: Moving beyond the general agreement on the positive contribution of the arts in mental health care, this article highlights some of the challenges of introducing creative forms of engagement and expression in traditional biomedical settings. It is argued that a meaningful partnership between the arts sector and mental health services is not just a technical measure but requires a radical shift in the way we understand, respond to and engage with human distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern museums do more than display historical artefacts and culturally relevant materials. The twenty-first-century museum is both a physical, technological and virtual space to learn about the past, present and future. Furthermore, the emerging importance of the social and well-being aspect of museum engagement with communities, as social justice campaigners supporting positive mental health and well-being, has never been more pronounced. The modern museum engages with far more people than visitor numbers can account for, presenting a challenge for museums to assess, evaluate and demonstrate their success, worth and value. This article assesses what the modern museum does, how it can measure its social impact, and specifically critiques the use of social return on investment methodology as an effective measurement tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three year “Ways of Seeing” project was hosted by an award-winning museum and included adults with long-term diagnoses associated with mental health and physical impairments. The participants were involved throughout the project, preparing and curating artwork for a major public exhibition.Methods:Qualitative data were collected to explore meanings of the project from the perspective of participants, the project manager and the public, using interviews, participant observation and comment cards.Results:The project was successful in engaging the participants who had previously often felt excluded from mainstream art spaces. Findings about the benefits of arts participation echoed other studies but participants highlighted some difficulty with the ending of the project. Public perceptions were positive, acclaiming the thought-provoking quality of the exhibition. Interviews and participant observation revealed the importance of egalitarian leadership, mutual trust and the absence of any therapeutic agenda.Conclusion:Developing similar projects would offer opportunities to foster diverse artistic communities and empower people with experiences of disability and mental health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable research has shown the positive effects of art, music and drama therapy on mental health and well-being. In September 2012, a weekly Art Appreciation class was initiated at the Veterans Affairs (VA) West Los Angeles (WLA) Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) for veterans with severe mental illness. There are 106 VA PRRCs throughout the USA, designed to be transitional learning centers with curriculum-based interventions to help veterans re-integrate into the community and develop meaningful activities independent of the hospital setting. The VA WLA PRRC Art Appreciation class includes classroom sessions and community outings to local museums and other institutions holding art works of interest. It is taught at a college level and designed to lack the stigma of being a therapy group. Preliminary evidence from self-report measures indicates positive effects on mood, self-esteem, socialization and community participation among the veteran participants and recognition among staff that the course aids the veterans' recovery process. Appreciating art thus appears to promote both subjective and objective improvement in recovery and community re-integration for veterans who are experiencing chronic and disabling emotional distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: the purpose of this study was to investigate how participation in a music-based performance and instruction program influenced the sense of engagement experienced by participants at a residential setting for at-risk veterans. Methods: semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in a veterans' choir program conducted at the facility. Results: prominent themes that emerged from the interview included (1) the veterans' personal motivations for participating; (2) emotions associated with participation; and (3) perceptions of intragroup dynamics. Conclusions: primary conclusions drawn include: (1) opportunities to connect with others through shared interests may contribute to sense of engagement; (2) connections forged with other residents of the facility extended beyond relationships established in the choir through increased recognition associated with performances; and (3) the choir represented a diversion from pressing concerns and may have served as a means of facilitating adjustment to change at a measured pace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

maladjustedwas a participatory play produced by Theatre for Living and directed by David Diamond, with 18 theatre showings in Vancouver, Canada. The play explored the mechanization of mental health services and the possibility of “human-centred care.” Patients and caregivers developed and acted in the play. Using the interactive strategies of Forum Theatre, 2020 audience members had opportunities to role-play and suggest policy, resulting in a condensed 32-point policy report. Both subject pertinence and insistence on high quality theatre led to success. Engaged audiences resulted in a form of innovative problem solving that was then linked to policy makers and health care organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research indicates that there is a higher degree of mental health problems, family/work conflicts and sleep-related problems among workers in creative occupations than in other professions. Research also reveals that musicians have to deal with a relatively high degree of occupational stress. There is, however, a lack of research investigating the qualities of freelance musicians' psychosocial work environment, as well as possible protective factors for maintaining good mental health.Methods: Based on 12 in-depth interviews, we used a template analysis to examine the unique characteristics of the professional life of freelance pop and rock musicians.Results: Using the job demands-resources model as a conceptual framework, we found that an unpredictable future, threats to the family/work balance and significant amounts of external pressure were three broad contextual demands facing freelance musicians. Social support from family, fellow band members, audiences and their professional network, as well as having adequate personal resources such as entrepreneurial skills, value-anchored flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity and dedication to music making were described as important for managing life as a freelance musician.Conclusions: Musicians' psychosocial work environment and health seem to be related to the three overarching protective factors also described in resilience research: namely personal dispositions, family coherence and social resources. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: This article compares British and Danish promotion of well-being through participation in art activity to empower the individual. It examines the influence of national, social and political contexts on art and health community projects by comparing practice and project outcomes.Method: Based on two case studies, the article draws on specific evidence in Britain and Denmark. The approach taken is one of the psychosocial inquiries allowing reflection on practice including participants' testimonies.Results: The two cases showed comparable problems with restricted resources, funding and organisational limitations to service delivery. The British case study shows a bottom-up approach in contrast to the Danish case study where the approach is top-down. Although the benefits from participation in art activities in the two countries were influenced by a complex set of different interacting factors, outcomes were typically similarly positive: finding identity, feeling a sense of well-being and increased self-confidence.Conclusion: In terms of practice, policy and research and in the recognition of value of art participation, the comparison demonstrates how different stories, contexts and institutions engage in different ways to facilitate and enable service users as well as generating different challenges; recognising the benefits of developing best practice guidelines in art practice in health settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to understand the psychological and social aspects of how art-viewing, in a public art gallery, could be used as an activity to support family carers of people with mental health problems. Methods: Using grounded theory methodology, interviews from eight carer-participants and two facilitator-participants were analysed, along with podcasts created from audio-recordings of the gallery sessions. Results: Art-viewing was conceptualised as an experience that engaged carers on emotional, aesthetic and educational levels. Psychological processes such as mentalising, reflexivity and externalising were identified in the responses stimulated by art-viewing. Conclusions: The findings suggest that art-viewing in a group within a gallery setting has the potential to be used more widely as a community-based, low-cost and non-clinical activity to provide social and psychological support for carers of people with mental-health problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's opinion on the relation between art and mental health. The author highlights the aim of the journal, which emphasizes on the effect of art and quality of living in the general mental health of the public. It is stated that the area of art has always been a luxury for the rich and the less fortunate never had the feel of aesthetics as a part of their mental well being.