“2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat” is a twelve minute documentary filmed on location in Boon Wurrung Country, South Eastern Victoria, at the event of the same name.
This short film features footage and interviews with presenters and guests at the forum as they give their own answers to the question “What are the links between creativity and mental health?”
In watching the mini-doco, it becomes clear that Australian Creative Arts Therapists work by engaging a diverse range of creative practices in their work, as we see and hear about dance, drumming, drama and writing along with music, visual arts and origami as ways to support wellbeing.
The video production showcases how creative approaches in mental health and wellbeing are holistic, person centred, inclusive and value lived experience.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed the effectiveness of the arts and arts therapies for helping people experiencing mental illness at all stages of the life course. A core strength of arts therapy is that it responds to the needs of each person rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The WHO Report finds specifically that the beneficial impacts of arts therapy could be furthered through better acknowledging and acting on the growing evidence base (WHO Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report 2019).
In 2021, the findings of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System recognised Arts Therapists as valued members of Victoria’s Mental Health and Wellbeing workforce, and recommended greater access to the Creative Arts Therapies for all Victorians.
A month after the 2021 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat, organiser Dr Carla van Laar received a letter from Victoria’s Deputy Premier and Minister for both Mental Health and Education, James Merlino. Mr Merlino confirmed that from 2021 onwards, Victorian schools will be able to use newly allocated funds to employ Arts Therapists to support student wellbeing.
The ACTivate Arts Therapy awareness raising campaign continues to work towards creating greater community understanding of and more access to Creative Arts Therapies.
Contact Dr Carla van Laar here.
Register for the 2022 Creative Mental Health Forum and Self Care Retreat
Boon Wurrung Country, Inverloch, Victoria, Australia here.
One Comment
Linda Day
I am a disability care worker who through covid has reignited her creative drive and discovered the thrill of helping people with disabilities to discover and realise their creative abilities. I was intending to study in the area of chaplaincy to serve people with disabilities in that capacity. Now I’m wondering if I could uncapsulate all that I am in a service that would benefit others and myself? I would love to attend the workshop some time in the future.
Cheers,
Linda Day
My Day’s Choice disability lifestyle support & enhancement.