3Rs Webinar – Life After Lockdown: Support Notes for Art & Design, Mental Health and Wellbeing – Part 2
Reports and web resources that address mental health and wellbeing in and through the arts
The following reports and guidance documents are available online and provide useful evidence of research and recommendations in place and developing in the UK, across Europe and the world. These are mostly available as downloadable PDFs for free, although there are some publications, some web resources and even a physical resource at Bethlem Hospital in their Museum of the Mind.
The pandemic has increased our understanding of the need for good mental health and wellbeing for everyone and for young people in particular. At present, they are being profoundly affected by events, the loss of schooling, physical interaction with teachers, resources and school experiences as well as with normal socialising, friendship and physical play. This includes sport, arts activity, making, performing, physically moving in dance and playing music. We should not underestimate the value of arts lessons within the normal curriculum, providing periods of creative mental activity, academic and physical participation and learning during their normal subject studies. These are immensely valuable experiences in developing a balance of learning approaches and periods of focused mental, physical and creative activity. Different in character to other academic studies.
Many of these reports were produced or commissioned prior to the pandemic and our understanding of the potential for mental health issues for young people. They do, however, envision what is happening and are prophetic in their understanding of the problems and potential for a legacy of damage.
Ged Gast – Guidance on mental health and wellbeing for 3Rs Webinar 2021
World Health Organisation
Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report 67 – What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being? Scoping review – WHO. 2020. 6 page Downloadable Summary pdf
Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report 67 – What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being – WHO. 2020. The full 146 page Scoping review with results from 3000 studies. Downloadable pdf Report
Fact Sheet: What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well- being in the WHO European Region? 2 page, very useful summary document. Downloadable pdf
Intersectoral action: the arts, health and well-being. WHO. September 2019. 12 page Report on European Region member states call for health sector organisations to work with arts organisations to improve mental health and wellbeing. Download
Arts Council
Getting creative for health and wellbeing Arts Council England May 2020 – Web article
Creative Health: The Arts for Health and Wellbeing
All Party Parliamentary Group for Arts, Health and Wellbeing July 2017 – full publication and web pdf
Measuring and monitoring children and young people’s mental wellbeing: A Toolkit for Schools and Colleges.
This 91 page Toolkit has been developed by the Anna Freud centre and provides essential guidance for school leaders 2018.
Arts-rich schools
A study of 8 schools with an Arts-rich curriculum. 93 page study and case studies. RSA 2020
Art Works
Using the arts to promote emotional health and wellbeing in schools.
24 page summary of a Case study of 4 schools project Nottinghamshire supported by TaMHS (Targeted Mental Health in Schools)
Bethlem Museum of the Mind
Gallery and Exhibitions, online resources, exhibitions, and information / Case Studies for schools.
Ged Gast – Guidance on mental health and wellbeing for 3Rs Webinar 2021
Life After Lockdown 