Art Therapy is a way to improve the Mental Health of Students through art Therapy
Although not all teenagers and young people have mental health issues, research has shown that there is a clear connection between the COVID-19 lockdown orders and children’s mental health. Art therapy, which can improve mental health in students, is an economically viable option.
However, as sources that help DoMyHomeworkNow, art therapy also makes your life easier. It is not as easy as just saying “use art therapy with students”; you need to first learn what this therapeutic approach entails. The following guide will help to better understand how art therapy can improve mental health for students.
Art Therapy: What’s it all about?
Art therapy, a mental health discipline that incorporates psychotherapeutic and creative arts, is called art therapy. While there are many ways to approach this therapeutic service, the ultimate goal is to improve your mental health and well-being. These goals can be achieved through art therapy, which can include drawing, sculpture, and other mediums.
The therapeutic approach has been proven to benefit people with many health issues. These include people who are under significant stress, those with learning disabilities, as well as individuals with brain injury.
Art therapy is a vast field. However, it boils down to three basic approaches.
* Analytical Art Therapy: This therapy is based on ideas shared between clients, therapists and each other.
* Art psychotherapy is when the therapist verbally examines the art created by their clients. The art and its meaning is the focus.
* Art therapy: Instead of sharing thoughts or analysing art, this approach emphasizes the therapeutic potential of creating art.
While these are two very different approaches to art therapy, the one that stands out for teachers and parents is art as therapy. It’s exciting to consider that art can be used as a therapeutic tool. Children can express their emotions through creating art.
Although art can help children to express their emotions, it can be difficult to encourage healthy thought processes. It is important to have an art therapist. Schools could incorporate this approach into their existing services for consistent and long-term treatment. This will bring benefits to all parties, as therapists can help bridge the gap between parents/teachers.
Art Therapy is Important Now
It’s easy for children to believe that COVID-19 lockdowns and a public crisis would have an impact on their mental well-being. It’s not just an issue of children having a hard year. They will soon recover when things return to normal.
The truth is that disorders related to anxiety and depression, as well as trauma and other issues, don’t just disappear. The current research shows that these disorders have increased exponentially since the pandemic. We also saw an increase in mental health-related emergency room visits among students.
Multiple studies have produced similar results.
* The rates of anxiety and depression among students rose by more than two-thirds.
* Teen suicide attempts and ideation rates rose during months when COVID-related stressors were high.
* Children of families with lower resources experienced higher rates for negative mental health.
Although professionals often work with students in clinical settings for art therapy, it is not necessary. Many students found themselves in situations before the pandemic, where schools were their sole or primary source for mental health support. This is a rare opportunity to integrate art therapy in traditional schooling.
This is because it isn’t asinvasive as other mental healthcare settings. Even for children who don’t have difficulties, these services may prove to be helpful. This is due to students whose educations include regular art programs.
This means that art has always been important. However, art therapy for students might be more crucial than ever.
Art Therapy’s Benefits for Students
Art therapy can be claimed to have significant benefits for youth around the globe, but it’s important that you focus on the facts during Mental Health Awareness Month. This therapeutic approach can improve mental well-being for students according to studies. However, understanding the benefits more deeply is possible. This will allow you to see why now is the right time to act.
* Children gain greater awareness.
* Enhance children’s social skills and ability to interact with others.
* Supports the development of healthy coping methods.
* Increase empathy, insight, and acceptance for the difficulties faced by others
* Increases emotional, cognitive, sometimes even physical development.
It is a sad fact that even during the best times, students can feel restricted, isolated and lonely. If you consider the negative effects of a society caught up in the middle of a global epidemic, it’s not hard to understand why so many people are suffering from poor mental health. Art therapy is a powerful tool that can help us win this battle.
You can get academic and mental benefits from the following activities
Try rock painting
Be sure to check the students’ ages before you bring stones to class. But rock painting is a wonderful way to allow children to express their creativity in a permanent format. After the class, let your students know you are able to take the stones to a nearby park. Next, check out if there is a Facebook group for rock painting in your area. They will feel connected to the person who found them.
Draw Mandalas
Mandalas are beautiful patterns that children can enjoy looking at. Additionally, a repeated pattern can be calming and focus-enhancing. This guide will assist older students in drawing a mandala. For younger children, there are many affordable and easily reusable stencils available on sites like Amazon. Alternatively, A Maker’s Studio offers a wide selection of stunning stencils designed specifically for kids. These stencils not only simplify the process of creating intricate mandala designs but also encourage children to explore their creativity and artistic skills.
Create art for the school community
Students can build self-esteem and encourage them to create art visible to the whole school. You can encourage students to create their own planner covers, or to work together to create a mural in the playground. A piece of art that is shared by the school can help students feel valued and connected.
Create Collages
Adults often think of collages when they think of using glue sticks for gluing together magazines. You can be more creative with your students than this. There are many materials you can use, including paper scraps, fabric scraps as well buttons, stickers and pasta. You can find a lot of peace by combining different materials in different ways.
Postcard Art Therapy
After you have handed out the blank postcard template, ask your children to reflect back on how they feel over the past year. You can tell children that you are free to write whatever you want on the blank side. Tell them that they can use many materials to complete this activity. Next, ask them to write on the lined side what they feel about their feelings. Allow students to express their creativity and let them know that they are free.
Consider Photography
The art of sculpture, painting, and drawing is not limited to these mediums. Photography is a popular medium that many people find anxiety relief through. It’s an excellent art therapy option for older students. Ask the principal to grant an exemption for students who can’t use their phones in school. If the principal agrees, ask your children to go around school and take photos of beauty. The images can be used to create a poster or presentation.
Family Sculptures from Design Clay
Art therapists often ask their clients to create clay sculptures representing their families. This allows for discussion because the placement, shape, size and inclusion family members can provide a window into a child’s perceptions and life.
Give Art Therapy a Try
While arts programs have experienced a decrease in funding over the past few years, this is not to say that there aren’t benefits. While leaders have often ignored the importance and value of such a curriculum, the evidence that COVID-19 is having an impact on students shows that it’s not possible to allow this to continue. Even if leaders refuse to act, it is our duty.
Art therapy is a great option for parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Children are experiencing higher levels of emotional problems than ever before. Yet, this therapeutic approach can be used to help children overcome their emotional and psychological problems.
