Catching life: the contribution of arts initiatives to recovery approaches in mental health

This paper draws on a qualitative study that was undertaken as part of a national research study to assess the impact of participatory arts provision for people with mental health needs. It explores how arts and mental health projects may facilitate some of the key elements of what has been termed a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychiatric and mental health nursing 2007-12, Vol.14 (8), p.791-799
Main Authors: SPANDLER, H., SECKER, J., KENT, L., HACKING, S., SHENTON, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Adult
Aged
Art Therapy
arts participation
Asia - ethnology
Creativity
England
Female
hope
Humans
identity
Mental Disorders - psychology
Mental Disorders - rehabilitation
Middle Aged
Nursing
recovery
Social Identification
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This paper draws on a qualitative study that was undertaken as part of a national research study to assess the impact of participatory arts provision for people with mental health needs. It explores how arts and mental health projects may facilitate some of the key elements of what has been termed a ‘recovery approach’ in mental health. It is argued that it is precisely these elements – the fostering of hope, creating a sense of meaning and purpose, developing new coping mechanisms and rebuilding identities – which are hard to standardize and measure, yet may be the most profound and significant outcomes of participation in such projects. Therefore, in the context of a growing emphasis on recovery‐orientated mental health services, while not necessarily being appropriate for all service users, arts and mental health initiatives could make an essential contribution to the future of mental health and social care provision.
ISSN:1351-0126
1365-2850
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2007.01174.x