Promoting mental wellbeing and social inclusion through art: six month follow-up results from Open Arts Essex. Issue 5 (20th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilson, Ceri; Secker, Jenny; Kent, Lyn; Keay, Jo
• Is Part Of: International journal of mental health promotion. Volume 19:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 268
• Page End: 277
• Publication Date: 2017-10-20
• Subjects: Arts activities -- participatory arts -- mental health -- mental well-being, social inclusion -- six-month follow-up; Mental health promotion -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1080/14623730.2017.1345688
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-3730

Abstract

Abstract: Previous evaluations have demonstrated improvements in well-being and social inclusion for people with mental health difficulties after participating in Open Arts' introductory participatory arts courses. This evaluation aimed to ascertain whether improvements are maintained long-term. Course participants completed measures of well-being and social inclusion at the beginning and end of their course and after three and six months. At initial follow-up participants rated their experience of their course, and at three and six months they reported activities taken up after attending. Scores significantly increased from baseline to first follow-up and remained significantly higher than at baseline at three and six months. End-of-course ratings were positive and most participants continued their art work. Other activities included education/training and voluntary/paid work. Further studies are needed to examine whether improvements can be attributed with confidence to arts participation, but these results add to a growing weight of evidence pointing to that conclusion.