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Mental Health & Art Therapy
Information related to mental health and art therapy, how art therapy can help people live mentally healthier lives, how art therapy is being used in conjunction with mental health, etc.
Australian Psychotherapist Discusses Benefits of Art Therapy for People With Mental Illness
The following interview (MP3) was done in Australia with a psychotherapist and the topic of discussion is how art is used as therapy for people with a mental illness.
Transcript from the interview:
Dr. Chris James:
Art therapy is a very simple process of separating the thinking mind from the observing mind. When we think thoughts, they’re usually fleeting thoughts and we don’t give them a great deal of consideration. Very often we act on those inappropriately. Continue reading »
Woman Crochets for Brain Injury Awareness and Art Therapy
The following was sent to us by Laurie Roman and fits right in with our motto. Have a good story you’d like to share as well? Learn how you can promote art and creativity here. You can also read more about what art therapy is and its benefits.
Crocheting for Brain Injury Awareness and Art Therapy
Prior to a head injury in 2006 I was a Freelance Native American Family History & Food Writer Researcher & Speaker.
That all ended when I was sent flying backwards head first into a cinder block wall. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (5)Study Shows That Participating in Cultural Activities is Associated With Good Health
You may be aware of the variety of benefits of art therapy and how it can have a positive effect on autism, PTSD and cancer…but what about the benefits of just looking at, or observing, art?
A recent study has explored the association with attending cultural activities and good health, satisfaction, low anxiety, and depression. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (6)Study Shows Art May Help With Depression
A new study shows that our brains react in a similar way whether we are in love or whether we are looking at beautiful artwork. Research by Professor Semir Zeki demonstrates that looking at art stimulates our brains which create the same chemical response as when we are in love. This is just further evidence that art may prove beneficial for those that are feeling down or depressed.
Professor Semir talks more about this in the following video posted by the United Kingdom’s ArtFund. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (12)Brain Injury Therapy Leads to Art Therapy
We recently read an amazing article at the Miami Herald about Shari Lynn Beame.
Shari was just a teenager when it happened. She was ready to graduate and become a reporter. However, a fatal car accident resulted in a brain injury, leaving her paralyzed. Shari had to learn everything over, including walking and talking.
Then she found art. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (18)Art Therapy Program Helps Drug Addict Get Design Scholarship
Photo Credit: Patti Sapone/The Star-Ledger
Emily Lewis was awarded a full scholarship to Parsons The New School for Design in New York City. However, you might be surprised at how she got there. An interesting story and a testament to art therapy, Emily Lewis dropped out of high school and was addicted to drugs. Then she met Ruthann Traylor at a homeless shelter and the events of her life took a different course.
Ruthann Traylor started an art therapy program to help fight poverty and help those living in poverty. Some people were skeptical about the program, like Connie Mercer, the executive director of HomeFront. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (2)Eating Disorder Therapy Through Art
The following story was submitted by a reader named Sarah. She wanted to share her story about an eating disorder and art therapy and how art and creativity has helped her recover. Her story, along with art work and examples of her writing are below. Much thanks to Sarah for sharing her story and examples of her art work and creativity through very tough times. Truly inspiring!
If you have a story you’d like to share, let us know. Meanwhile, enjoy this great testament to the power of art and creativity… Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (11)‘Crazy Art’ Documentary Explores Art Therapy, Schizophrenia
Prejudice by Trinaty Lopez-Wakefield from ‘Crazy Art’
A reader emailed us information about a new documentary titled “Crazy Art” that was recently featured at the 2010 Santa Barbara Film Festival. The film follows three people with schizophrenia and their struggle with mental illness.
While the three artists have been plagued by schizophrenia from a young age and have experienced life from unique perspectives, all of them find comfort through creating art. While I haven’t seen the movie yet, it looks very interesting. Below are some videos, including the trailer, an interview, a synopsis, and the original press release.
‘Crazy Art’ Trailer
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (8)7 Art Therapy Testimonials From a Mental Hospital
This literally brought a tear to my eye. It ‘s an older video, but it really showcases the effect art can have on people. In this particular video, the focus is on people from the Mississippi State Hospital and their Community Services Program for people with mental illness. And while this may or may not be professional art therapy, it sure is tough to deny the therapeutic benefits art has on the seven people featured in this video. We can debate where art ends and therapy begins all we want, but if a person believes there is therapeutic benefit from the art they’re creating, why should anyone tell them differently? This video was inspiring, touching, and heartfelt for me. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Art Therapy & Art Show at a Mental Hospital
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comments (6)“Reflections” Exhibit at New York’s MoMA by The Bridge Group Artists
The Bridge Inc. & The Museum of Modern Art invite you to view the exhibit “Reflections.” For 10 weeks this summer, MoMA’s Department of Education and The Bridge Inc. participated in their 4th annual extended partnership. Through this unique collaboration, artists from The Bridge and their art teacher / art therapist met with MoMA educators every other week to explore new ideas and approaches to art at the Museum. This exhibition presents a selection of that work. (image above: “Self Portrait” by Michael Blamo)
OPENING RECEPTION:
Wednesday, October 7, 4-5:30pm
EXHIBITION INFO:
The Lewis B. and Dorothy Cullman Education and Research Building
The Museum of Modern Art
4 West 54th St View Map
Open daily except Tuesday, 10:30am – 5:30pm
You can download a printable invite here (PDF). If you’re interested in learning more about what The Bridge Group Artists have done, there is more information below, you can read the article, Battling Mental Illness with a Paint Brush, from the Village Voice in NY, and you can “meet the artists” from a past exhibition. Continue reading »
Filed as Mental Health & Art Therapy | Comment (1)
