The relationship between the arts and mental health is well established and there is growing evidence that the arts can be used to help people with anxiety, depression and other issues that impact us.

Making art as a form of mental health treatment dates back to the mid-20th century, when soldiers returning from the battlefields of World War II were left with a condition that was known as “shell shock,” but is now called post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans painted, drew, sculpted and made other forms of art to help process what they’d witnessed and experienced at war. Experiences like trauma are very difficult to articulate into words, so therapies that can support and connect patients with nonverbal expression are really the foundation of the creative arts therapies.

Having taught thousands of art students of all ages, I can attest to the enhanced mood and happiness that people of all ages derive from artmaking.