Culture is increasingly being used to address mental health issues in Europe

2023-06-22 07:43:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Two decades of research and a pandemic have led to a boom in programs that use the culture for its health benefits.

A growing number of initiatives across Europe are using access to the arts as a tool to improve health and well-being alongside traditional medical treatment.

In the Danish town of Silkeborg, a group of new mothers suffering from postpartum depression reported feeling closer to their newborns, calmer and more optimistic after taking part in weekly singing sessions designed to improve their mental health.

Similar results were observed in groups participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) Music for Mother project in four other cities in Italy and Romania.

The arts play a 'key role' in health

Extensive research has been conducted over the past 25 years on the effect art has on health and well-being.

A 2019 WHO report found that art plays a "major role" in improving the health and well-being of individuals, as well as preventing disease across the lifespan. It concluded that "the beneficial impact of the arts could be furthered through recognition and action on the growing evidence base" and included a call for governments globally to promote engagement in the arts.

After 18 months of data collection, Culture for Health presented its findings at a conference in Elefsina, Greece, on June 9, where it also made several policy recommendations to be implemented at the EU level.

He called, for example, for the EU to fund trainings and conferences to raise awareness of the types of projects that can be implemented and to encourage investment in prevention and health promotion.

It also recommended promoting the use of culturally based social prescriptions across the EU, as well as adding dedicated provisions to policy documents. But the most important step, explained Kiss, is "to have these discussions at the local level, in as many member states as possible".

'Let's put these lessons to work'

Access to culture is cited as one of the elements of an individual's life that has a "significant impact on mental health" in the Commission's long-awaited comprehensive approach to mental health published earlier this month. Access to nature, sports and suitable living conditions are also championed.

"Barriers to good mental health cannot be overcome within the health system alone," the strategy paper states. "Art and culture are important in promoting positive mental health and well-being in individuals and society at large by supporting social inclusion and reducing mental health stigma."

The EU executive has made €1.23bn of EU funding available to member states to support them in "putting people and their mental health first".

Speaking at the Culture for Health conference in Elefsina, European Commissioner for European Lifestyle Margaritis Schinas called the organisation's policy recommendations "very provocative", adding that the EU must now "rely on all this evidence". / CNA