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Generating mutual recovery in creative spaces

Victoria Stewart (School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia) (Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia)
Helena Roennfeldt (School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia)
Maddy Slattery (School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia) (Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia)
Amanda J. Wheeler (School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University, Meadowbrook, Australia) (Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia)

Mental Health and Social Inclusion

ISSN: 2042-8308

Article publication date: 18 October 2018

Issue publication date: 11 February 2019

371

Abstract

Purpose

Participation in creative activities have been linked with increased personal agency. The purpose of this paper is to address critical considerations in the development of community-based creative workshops for people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness and explores participant experiences of these workshops.

Design/methodology/approach

The workshops aimed to build the skills and capacities of participants and provide alternative ways to communicate identity and recovery stories. They were designed to provide a range of creative opportunities for participants (visual arts, writing, dance and music) and were facilitated by practising artists. In total, 11 participants attended ten creative workshops over three months. On completion, a focus group was conducted to gather participant views, experiences and outcomes of the workshops.

Findings

The creative workshops supported the recovery of participants. The inclusion of peer mentors in the workshops was an important in facilitating connectedness.

Originality/value

This study advances the evidence that creative arts can support the psychological and social aspects of participants’ recovery journeys. Creative activities can promote positive self-identity and reduce self-stigma for people experiencing mental illness. It highlights the importance of using evidence in the design of creative workshops and supports the use of peer mentoring in group creative processes.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The research team wish to thank the Brisbane South PHN (formerly Greater Brisbane Metro South Medicare Local) for funding this research. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the PHN. The authors also acknowledge the artists, peer mentors and research staff who participated in parts of the research journey, particularly Rani Scott and Rachael Krinks. Finally, but not least, the authors would like to thank our research participants without whom this project would not have been possible. The authors declare no known/perceived conflicts of interest.

Citation

Stewart, V., Roennfeldt, H., Slattery, M. and Wheeler, A.J. (2019), "Generating mutual recovery in creative spaces", Mental Health and Social Inclusion, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 16-22. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-08-2018-0029

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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