Recently, members from our Brighter Futures project joined a panel of speakers at an event at Kings College London to discuss how engaging with the arts can have a profound effect on mental wellbeing. They were invited to speak following their appearance in a case study by Daniel Regan, artist and arts and health consultant, on how creativity can be pivotal in supporting mental health and wellbeing and in tackling stigma. This forum was part of a wider schedule of events by Kings College London aimed at raising awareness of how the arts can provide critical resistance against the onset of mental health disorders.

The discussion around mental health and how we can protect our mental wellbeing has gained in strength over the past decade as mental health problems have increased. It was reported that in the UK the number of people suffering from mental ill-health went up by 20% between 1993 to 2014, a steep and concerning increase. When it comes to children the situation is even more critical; in the last three years, the likelihood of a young person having a mental health problem has increased by 50%. Fortunately, this has not gone unnoticed and the recent wealth of research in this area reflects the wider public opinion that prevalent mental illness needs to be acknowledged and countered.

Good mental health and freedom from anxiety or depression depends on a huge variety of factors, not just physiological. Individual experiences in life have a huge impact, as well as various socioeconomic factors, but research has shown that there are techniques and activities that can have considerable benefits if access to them is available. These range from physical activity to meditation and mindfulness techniques, to social contact, but the one that we focus on at Kazzum Arts is engagement with the arts.

A recent study showed that those who were ‘frequently engaged in arts had lower levels of mental distress and higher levels of mental functioning and life satisfaction’, an outcome which is upheld time and again by studies across the board. For children and young people this impact can further be felt in the resilience that prolonged contact with the arts may build up, setting them up for mental wellbeing long into adulthood.

Unfortunately access to the arts is in the UK is not clearcut; there are many inequalities and systemic issues that create barriers to opportunities for engagement. For over 30 years our organisation has delivered arts and drama workshops to children and young people who are most in need of support, removing some of those barriers. Seeing new initiatives from established institutions like Kings College London recognising the importance of arts and culture for health and wellbeing feels like a step in the right direction.

The young people who spoke at Kings College London were from a well-established community group called Brighter Futures that we partner with. Brighter Futures is a space for young migrants and refugees to come together, develop friendships and English language skills, and explore colour, shape, emotions, values and identity through visual arts. After the KCL event one young person from Brighter Futures reflected on what had been discussed:

“Attending the King's College London event was very informative. It was a relatable session as it brought to light the challenges most people go through, including children, which can go unnoticed sometimes. I particularly found it more profound to see how art does make a change in our mental health and wellness and how it’s a source that should have more credit than it currently has in the world.

At Brighter Futures, we use art in different ways, such as: drawing, animation, clay making, and more. This has helped the members greatly; it has given us the opportunity to express our individualities and it eases some of the worries and challenges we face. It has also helped with my confidence in speaking in front of people, which has given me the courage to speak at this event in front of 60+ academics and professionals.

It has helped me connect to a side of myself that I have neglected for so long, all in the name of being an adult. One lesson I took with me was to always embrace that creative side, which can sometimes be the thing you need to heal in life.”

The Arts and its Impact on Mental Wellbeing