Healing through creativity: How art can mend heart and mind

When words fall short, art offers a unique way to navigate and express complex emotions. Art therapy uses creative activities like drawing, painting, and sculpting to help individuals articulate feelings, process thoughts, and enhance emotional well-being. Discover how this ancient practice has evolved into a structured therapeutic approach that supports mental health and well-being.

Sometimes, when feeling down or confused, you might instinctively turn to drawing, singing, or dancing. Many people find comfort in art to express their inner voices and deep-seated feelings.

Imagine a young woman recovering from a serious accident. Although her physical injuries have healed, she struggles with anxiety and low moods. Her therapist suggested art therapy as a part of her recovery. Through painting and sculpting, she has found a way to express her fears and frustrations.

Over time, her anxiety levels decreased, and she felt more connected to others in her art group. As her self-awareness grew and her emotional balance improved, she experienced less distress and even reported a reduction in her pain. Art therapy, she discovered, was more than just a creative outlet—it became a part of her healing journey.

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This is similar to what’s known as art therapy—using creative activities to communicate with the mind and heart.

WHAT IS ART THERAPY?

Art therapy is an approach that employs creative activities, such as drawing, painting, and sculpting, to help individuals express their emotions, process thoughts, and improve their mental and emotional well-being. This method aids in articulating feelings more clearly and boosts mental health.

The use of art for healing has ancient roots, reflecting practices and rituals of our ancestors. Dr John Adenle, an associate professor in the Department of Creative Arts at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and a fellow of art in medicine, notes that art serves as a medium for interpreting inner emotions.

“Transforming inner feelings through art is a key aspect of mental health work,” he says. “This creative journey is beneficial, as it involves communication between the user and the materials.”

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While traditional art forms, such as those used by African traditional healers for mental health, have existed for centuries, they have not always been fully integrated into modern art therapy practices.

Today, art therapy has evolved into a structured practice that combines artistic expression with psychological techniques. Trained art therapists now use this approach to support individuals dealing with issues ranging from trauma and anxiety to everyday stress.

This process is akin to opening a window to one’s inner world, like a sculptor chiselling away unnecessary bits to create a compelling art piece.

ART THERAPY IN ACTION

Experts have found that art therapy yields positive outcomes for children and adolescents in hospital-based mental health units.

Prof Taiwo Obindo, the President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria (APN), explains that art can help unfurl minds, with dance and drama also playing key roles in awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts.

“Some find a way to express what’s in their hearts through art. By looking at what they have painted, one can gain insight into their thoughts. Muddled thinking won’t have a focus, it can be seen in what they have painted,” Obindo explains.

“Painting can also be used in diagnosis, similar to the Rorschach Inkblot test, where individuals interpret abstract drawings. Their interpretations can reveal their mental state—someone with unreasonable thoughts might see conflict in the images.”

“Art is a useful tool; dance and drama are also used in awareness campaigns and advocacy. It augments what we do,” Obindo concludes.