The effects of an arts intervention program in a community mental health setting: A collaborative approach

Throughout history, musical and visual arts have played positive roles in healing the human body, mind, and spirit. In traditional treatment settings, arts interventions offer opportunities for emotional expression and social interaction and have been shown to improve motivation, to increase personal empowerment and to relieve negative symptoms associated with mental illness. The purpose of the current project was to examine the effectiveness an arts program for individuals with chronic mental illness served by a community “Clubhouse”. Another goal was to develop a model for serving this population based on collaboration between a practitioner-based arts in healthcare program and a clinician-based music therapy program. Results showed that arts sessions improved feelings of well-being, and member-participants reported that sessions provided fun, relaxation, socialization, creativity and a sense of belonging. Improvements also were noted in the ability to manage self-care and in overall quality of life. Implications of the project's results and recommendations for future research also are discussed.

► We examined the effectiveness of an arts program for individuals with chronic mental illness served by a community Clubhouse.
► Among member-participants, the arts program promoted feelings of well-being.
► Member-participants also reported that arts sessions provided enjoyment, relaxation, socialization and creativity.
► The project is an example of creative collaboration between clinician and practitioner based models of intervention.