Visual arts, mental health & wellbeing: evidence review

This review looks at the subjective, or self-reported, wellbeing outcomes of visual arts projects aimed at adults who are experiencing, or have experienced, diagnosed mental health conditions. The visual arts practices featured in the studies included forms of painting or drawing, art appreciation with selected art forms, artmaking culminating in an exhibition, and more general creative and craft activities that included visual artefacts such as ceramics or sculpture.

Key findings include:

Overall, the evidence available in this review shows that engaging in the visual arts for adults with mental health conditions can:

.reduce reported levels of depression and anxiety
.increase self-respect, self-worth and self-esteem
.encourage and stimulate re-engagement with the wider, everyday social world
.support in participants a potential re-negotiation of identity through practice-based forms of making or doing.

You can download a briefing and the full report at the link below.

For more information visit https://www.whatworkswellbeing.org/blog/visual-arts-mental-health-and-wellbeing-evidence-review/?mc_cid=50d4075fd2&mc_eid=700aacfc07&mc_cid=4565c34eb5&mc_eid=799e63875c