How can art help improve mental health?

WHO studies indicate that listening to music, dancing, going to the theatre or a museum can have long-lasting benefits for emotional health, as well as generating positive impacts on self-esteem.

Art has always been present in human life. Since the first cavemen, artistic expression has grown and developed in parallel with societies and plays a fundamental role in various aspects of life, including health.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the arts are suitable for helping to understand and communicate concepts and emotions, stimulating all the senses and even the capacity for empathy. Which, according to the world body, is especially beneficial for mental health.

What is the relationship between art and mental health?
Research conducted by the WHO regional office for Europe has shown that the use of artistic media in health care can have various benefits. According to a report published in 2019 analyzing the results of more than 3,000 studies, the arts play an important role in preventing health problems, promoting health as a human whole, and managing and treating diseases throughout life.

For example, studies of specific arts interventions, including singing, group drumming, magic, dance, daily photography and visits to cultural institutions, showed positive effects on all types of individual and social well-being. Among some of the reported benefits were improvements in vitality, rejuvenation, resilience, purpose and…