News Release, 12 January 2007
A new report released by the Mental Health Foundation says that people with mental health problems are having difficulty accessing arts therapies in Scotland due to a lack of provision, despite their known benefits.
According to Arts, Creativity and Mental Health, arts therapies including dance, drama, music and art have a valid therapeutic role and can improve the resilience of individuals with mental health problems. The research, carried out in Scotland, shows that people with mental health problems find arts therapies useful in helping them to express and understand their underlying emotional issues.
The new research also claims that arts therapies offer people with mental health problems a safe and contained way of exploring their issues with practitioners who are trained especially for that purpose. Participation can result in people with mental health problems feeling more confident and in control of their lives.
Isabella Goldie, Head of Scotland for the Mental Health Foundation, says:
“In truth, while it is widely thought that arts therapies are beneficial to people with mental health problems, the evidence base is not as good as it needs to be. We hope that this report will help to push things forward and that service users across Scotland will start to be given increased access to arts therapies.”
The Foundation makes a number of recommendations in the Arts, Creativity and Mental Health report. First among these is a call for the profile of arts therapies as a community mental health service to be raised, but the charity is also encouraging service users to make demands on Local Authorities to provide arts based services. Isabella Goldie says:
“Under Section 26 of Mental Health Act, Local Authorities ought to be providing services that promote well-being and social development. But we can’t wait for Local Authorities to act - we need to see service user groups put pressure on Local Authorities to provide arts based services in Scotland where they would be beneficial.”
Notes to editors
For further information please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
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