How to paint a picture of health
Art holds profound healing potential. We see it in our daily lives and in the evocative and illustrious works that line gallery walls. Vincent Van Gogh used his craft as a panacea during his days in psychiatric care. Edvard Munch — the man made famous for the painting The Scream — conveyed his own struggle with mental illness through his work, too. Now, there’s a growing body of evidence demonstrating just how important taking part in the arts is for our health and wellbeing.
Research over the past 30 years points to the therapeutic benefits for people of all ages, and those suffering from a range of physical and psychological conditions — chronic illnesses, cancer, dementia, eating disorders, addiction, grief, and stress, anxiety and depression.
This year, the World Health Organisation even acknowledged the critical role of art: “Artistic expression grew in lock-step with human cultural development and has long played an integral part in how we teach, learn, communicate and heal. Since our earliest ancestors began telling stories to make sense of the world, we have evolved to learn from narrative, be it through visual media, song or performance.”
Art opens the doorway to the inner world and pierces the veil of our psyche. It offers solace in times of pain and immense suffering, and encourages presence, playfulness and inspiration.
“Arts in the healthcare setting plays an important role in the provision of holistic care, supporting a patient or client in the physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions of their wellness,” says Emily Lees, St John of God Health Care group arts and health co-ordinator.
The organisation has a thriving arts program, which is used to promote health, healing and recovery. You’re bound to spot installations around the grounds and artwork adorning the walls of their facilities. Thoughtful placements provide an invitation for contemplation, relaxation, and visual appeal — which is essential for enhancing the visitor experience and patient wellbeing, especially in places which can sometimes feel quite clinical and overwhelming.
The St John of God Health Care collection incorporates works from notable and local artists, as well as those created by patients, visitors, caregivers, volunteers, community members and school students. At Midland Head to Health, and St John of God Mental Wellbeing Services in Cockburn, they offer access to specialised art therapists as part of a person’s mental healthcare plan.
The organisation’s mobile art studio, known as cARTwheels, was adapted during the COVID pandemic to provide patients with single-use art packs during their stay. The packs now include a variety of activities such as drawing, colouring, painting, journaling, card making, collage, weaving and origami.
An independent evaluation of the program across 10 St John of God hospitals was recently conducted by the University of WA. The cARTwheels packs help to increase patient happiness, reduce stress and boredom, assist with relaxation and pain management, and enhance the hospital environment.
“We have found that music and art therapy can be one of the most memorable experiences during a patient’s stay and it’s common that we receive handwritten notes of thanks for joy and fun arts and music provided,” says Ms Lees. “Registered music therapists work in our WA hospitals to bring dignity to patients receiving end-of-life care, distraction and laughter to children awaiting surgery and meaningful activity for patients undertaking rehabilitation.”
Arts are a foundational element of all cultures throughout the world. They help us make meaning, and to transcend the confines of our emotional pain and lived experiences. Incorporating arts and music programs in health settings, and funding them, is vital for enhancing patient care and aiding healing and recovery.
This article was first published in The West Australian in Renée Gardiner’s weekly column in Agenda, 5 November 2022.