Engagement And Health

Art helped me learn to express the feelings I couldn’t say and during that time period and I choosing to study it is the greatest decision I have ever made. Art is the reason I live now. It gives me hope, happiness, and an ability to escape. I love how it can change my view and to make me feel things. This year one of my illustrations was hung in the Museum of Contemporary Art: La Jolla, and I could not be prouder.

As a psychology student with an extensive background in Fine Arts, I bring a unique perspective to the mental health field. My interest in psychology began with the curiosity regarding the relationship between art and mental health. South Korea, my birthplace, has some of the longest working hours of any country. While working in Korea, I witnessed the results of work-related stress such as depressive mood and anxiety. However, there existed stigma related to mental disorders due to cultural expectations. Rather than visiting professionals in the mental health industry, many ascribed mental instabilities to their lack of willpower. This phenomenon spurred me to consider artistic activities in dealing mental distress. Eventually, I was motivated to study Psychology at Ryerson University; I hope to keep my path toward Art Therapy at Concordia University.

Lefèvre, Ledoux and Filbet (2015) researched the painting therapy not only importing the mental state such as sadness, anxiety and depression. Also, it can enhance

According to an article published by the US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health, there is also a connection between art, healing, and public health.

Patients without an art background must learn from some of the basic skills of art to fully embrace the role of art therapy (Qiu-Yue Wang, Dong Mei Li, 2016). Because these diseases are degenerative, the patients in an art therapy session can be in different stages of disease. The requirement to learn art can cause frustration and agitation in some patients, further increasing the burden on themselves as well as their caregivers. The success of non-pharmacological treatments could be affected by the cultural background of the person, since different people can have various responses to the same intervention program (Chen et al, 2014). In regards to the studies about art therapy interventions, the period, duration, and frequency of the interventions vary between studies (Qiu-Yue Wang, Dong Mei Li, 2016). It is therefore difficult to classify the risks and benefits of art therapy since the measurable quantities are limited. The ability to judge a patients progression of disease through art is a subjective evaluation that has little merit. The majority of studies investigated the care burden via interview, which may also be subjective; in future studies, it is necessary to use qualitative and quantitative methods to perform in-depth analyses of the benefits of art therapy (Qiu-Yue Wang, Dong Mei Li,

Fard, Farah Joan. "The expanding reach of art therapy: though it's a relatively new approach to mental health treatment, art therapy is gaining traction and making a difference in people's lives." Art Business News, Winter 2015, p. 34+. Fine Arts and Music Collection, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=PPFA&sw=w&u=hillsbor&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA436797590&it=r&asid=1bc151430b53c85d758e9329f6ecf46a. Accessed 22 Nov. 2017.

Like everything else, there is a romanticized idea of art. A balcony overlooking Los Angeles/ New York/ Italy/ France/ Greece. A misunderstood starving artist conveying their emotions by painting on a canvas. The underlying aspect is emotion. Art is a way to express emotions if you look at the work of Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso what you will see is subconscious emotions on a canvas. Art making is hypothesized to involve bilateral stimulation, engaging the integrating and planning functions of the prefrontal cortex to sequence narratives using left brain functions. Slowly evolving to being used by psychoanalysts and art therapy becoming a profession. This essay will show how art plays an important factor in psychological

Art is the sole venue for human expression. It has been known to invoke emotions and appeal to one’s numerous senses. Even throughout times of despair, the human race has been known to seek differing forms of expression as a cope mechanism or simply to project their voices and opinions to the world. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health declared that, “There is evidence that engagement with artistic activities, either as an observer of the creative efforts of others or as an initiator of one's own creative efforts, can enhance one's moods, emotions, and other psychological states as well as have a salient impact on important physiological parameters.” Such creative expression was sought after by African Americans who emigrated to the United States by means of slavery. In order to preserve their culture and lose their customs, slave retained their

There are approximately 70 support groups across Washington State. Support groups provide survivors of brain injury, family members and caregivers a safe space to share their stories. Support groups provide a networking opportunity, as well as a place to learn new skills and information regarding brain injury. Many support groups will be led by facilitators that have a brain injury themselves, however some will be facilitated by professionals who are knowledgeable in brain injury. Attending a support group will help you make connections with other people who have similar concerns and needs.

Creativity and the arts play such an important role within social care practice as it has positive effects on those individuals using the services, such as:

In particular, a study by Sandmire et al. (2016) examines the beneficial effects of art on anxiety using both subjective and objective measures. The researchers theorize that participating in 30 minute art activities will lower anxiety levels. As well, the researchers try to determine if the complexity of the art activity influences the degree of the effect, such that if complicated activities reduce anxiety more than simpler activities.

Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.

Expressive arts therapy is the use of art modalities, creative process, and aesthetic experience in a therapeutic context. It is a therapy of the imagination (McNiff, 1992). Effective communication is an essential element in therapeutic relationships and, although verbal language is the most conventional means of conveying information, other forms can convey just as much as words. The arts are an alternative form of communication that has recently received recognition for their value in therapeutic settings. There is a long well-established connection between the arts and psychology. Expressive arts therapy builds on a natural, complimentary relationship between the two disciplines. As a formal therapy, this form is relatively new with its

Western traditions narrowly define art as a market-oriented specialized discipline (Levine & Levine, 2004). When art is used therapeutically, content and meaning take priority over mechanics and technicalities.

Art is personal; an expression of inner thoughts and desires, affecting the way I not only see the world but myself. In order for a person to grow they must know who they are, their aspirations, the true nature of their thoughts, and their actuality of their persona; the physicality of art has given me this knowledge. With practicing in the arts I am able to grow as a person and I am able to see that growth within me.  For with the expression of creativity, comes an outlet, an outlet of the unconscious, forming and showing the reality of the mind. This outlet releases internal emotions and helps me to find tranquility within myself. This state of mind is a supplement for my own personal problems.  Also, I am able to create new ideas, ones that help me see the world in a new light. I am able to form a relaxing and mesmerizing state of mind, one that leaves me fascinated with the world around me, along with a deep love for simplicity.  Visual arts have truly given me an insight on my own mind and happiness in my life. This is why I full-heartedly believe and practice in the arts, to find peace of mind, not in the world, but in myself.