Enhancing public mental health and wellbeing through creative arts participation
| Published date | 17 December 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-09-2018-0065 |
| Pages | 148-156 |
| Date | 17 December 2018 |
| Author | Tony Gillam |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
Enhancing public mental health and
wellbeing through creative
arts participation
Tony Gillam
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore how participation in creative arts activity can enhance
public mental health and wellbeing. It is informed by both the author’s clinical practice with service users and
carers and by research.
Design/methodology/approach –The approach taken is to draw selectively on research in the field of
creativity, creative arts and wellbeing, focusing in particular on the use of music and creative writing, and to
incorporate learning from clinical experience to explore what is understood about the health and wellbeing
benefits of creative arts activity.
Findings –There is evidence that creative arts activity is beneficial to mental health and wellbeing. Arts
activities that involve active participation appear to offer the greatest benefits. Creative arts participation can
help people with diagnosed mental health difficulties to recover from mental illness. Moreover, creative arts
activities can also promote wellbeing in the general population.
Research limitations/implications –The paper does not provide a comprehensive review of the literature
in this field.
Practical implications –The paper suggests that if nurses and other mental health professionals are to play
a full role in facilitating flourishing then they will need to learn more about using creative arts in practice and will
need to become involved and encourage others to do so.
Social implications –The paper suggests it is important that creative arts activities should be participatory,
so they become a vehicle not only for self-expression but also for participation in groups and communities,
increasing connectedness and social inclusion.
Originality/value –This paper fulfils a need for a wider understanding of the health and wellbeing benefits of
creative arts activity.
Keywords Participation, Wellbeing, Mental health, Creativity, Creative arts
Paper type Viewpoint
Background
As a mental health nurse with a lifelong interest in creativity and the creative arts I have, over a number
of years, been exploring creative approaches to fostering wellbeing in both my clinical practice with
service users and carers and in various educational, leadership and managerial roles in health care.
This practice has informed, and been informed by, my writings. My most recent book, Creativity,
Wellbeing and Mental Health Practice (Gillam, 2018), distils my findings in this area. While my focus
has been on the wellbeing of the providers and users of mental health services, implicit in all of this is
an assumption that the mental health and wellbeing of the wider community can be enhanced
through creative activity. This paper seeks to explore this aspect further. My particular interest is in
music and creative writing but what I discuss can apply just as much to any creative arts activity.
Good for everyone
Shaun McNiff (2004), a pioneer of art therapy and Professor of expressive therapies, suggested:
“Art therapy work within the mental health field has started a process that is good for everyone.
Received 4 September 2018
Accepted 22 September 2018
Tony Gillam is Senior Lecturer
in Mental Health Nursing at the
Faculty of Education, Health
and Wellbeing, University of
Wolverhampton,
Wolverhampton, UK.
PAGE148
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JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH
j
VOL. 17 NO. 4 2018, pp. 148-156, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729 DOI 10.1108/JPMH-09-2018-0065
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