Art therapy has been used to help people with mental health problems for years. Usually no-one gets to see that art, or it goes on display in the mental health ward. A London hospital is exhibiting art throughout the hospital in an attempt to counter myths about mental health problems.

Currently on show in its restaurant lounge is a collection of work by service user Justin Konstam.

[...]

Konstam admits to having felt apprehensive prior to the opening night: "What made it less stressful was the hospital staff who helped me set up the exhibition," he says. "The feedback from visitors and in the comments book has all been very positive. People have told me they find the paintings uplifting."

For the past year Konstam has been attending a weekly art class run by Helen Shearn, arts coordinator at the Maudsley. "I found out about the class through my community psychiatric nurse. I've always been interested in art, but I've also found painting very therapeutic. Essentially it's about learning and exploring your potential," he explains.

One in four people in the UK will have a mental health problem that requires treatment, but there is still a stigma attached to mental health problems and the medications used to treat them.

By inviting people to attend an art exhibition at the hospital it is hoped that the negative stereotypes that surround mental health and psychiatric hospitals will be debunked.

stormworm

Moncton, NB

February 2005

JUN 08, 2005 07:23 AM

i likethis idea. i think more hospitals should follow suit, with the concent of patients of course. it could help boost a lot of peoples esteem. and art therapy in general is great for anyone. even if your not "good" in your eyes as far as visual arts goes, thats really not the point. the point is expression in a time where apathy is cool.

i remember doing art therapy in the hospital. fun as hell. i made a really fucking good picture and some awesome clay figures (well i liked them), and a few leather braclets punched with "defective" (i got one). i asked them what they do with the stuff and they said they show the meeting team (nurses, then to doctors) and talk about it in relation to you. i wonder if they throw that stuff out, or if they keep it in your file....
maybe i can get some back

MC_Dove

Cincinnati, OH

November 2004

JUN 08, 2005 09:09 AM

i think that's great. art-wise, the creations produced in this way is some of the most fascinating art ever made. the idea behind getting rid of the stigmas attatched to mental illness is wonderful, and i'm reallly glad that they're doing this for the community. huzzah!

BOARDS:

TOPICS:

NEWS: "To send light into the darkness of men's hearts"

dem_z

United Kingdom

June 2004

JUN 08, 2005 04:17 AM