Arts and Mental Health: The similarities and differences between Arts Therapies and Arts Practices

Tuesday 9th January 2017, 1.00 - 2.00pm GMT

Chair: Theo Stickley, University of Nottingham
Speakers: Beth Elliott, Director, Bethlem Gallery and Susan Hogan, College of Health and Social Care, University of Derby

Arts practice has been evident in mental health care for a long time. Especially after the Second World War, the Arts Therapies emerged as a way of helping soldiers to heal from the traumas they experienced at war. Arts therapies have become recognised around the world as a form of treatment for mental distress.

In the 1980s and 90s however a new model emerged that became described as “community arts”. These programmes emerged at the same time large asylums were being closed and the model of community care emerged. Often these were led by artists rather than arts therapists. Nowadays, such work is often referred to as “participatory arts”.

This free webinar looks at arts practice developed around the Bethlem Hospital and by way of contrast, also discusses the role of arts therapies. By doing so, we are seeking to help understanding of the similarities and differences of very different approaches to arts and mental health.

For more information visit the event page.