By using creative expression to help children manage emotions, schools can foster resilience and emotional wellbeing

Mental health concerns among children and teenagers have become more common than ever before. As per a National Mental Health Survey (2015-2016) conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it is estimated that 10 per cent to 20 per cent of children and adolescents in India will be prone to suffer from mental challenges by 2030, with many going undiagnosed and untreated.

Although mental health concerns have gained a lot of attention over the past couple of years, it is unfortunate that many youngsters are still unable to access the care that they require. Mental health experts cite examples of how instead of attempting to engage in unique therapy formats, most conversations tend to remain on the surface leading many children to miss out on required assistance.

Up until a few decades back, the methods for addressing mental health issues were traditional and limited. Interventions such as art therapy were occasionally employed but were not commonly recognised as a formal tool. Today art therapy is a widely practiced therapy attracting many professionals who want to heal and help others using self-expression.

Children and adolescents are generally known to show initial apprehensions when it comes to choosing special therapy methods, as stigma related to mental disorders leads to non-compliance with these approaches. Additionally, some traditional programmes may not appeal to younger generations, resulting in a loss of interest.

On the other hand, creative treatment methods, like art therapy, have distinct advantages since they encourage them to actively engage in the healing process. For children and adolescents, art can be a nonverbal and compassionate way of shaping emotions, and this is especially effective for those who have trouble verbalising their emotions. Findings from UNSW highlight the effectiveness of art therapy in helping young people develop and manage emotional pain, allowing for artistic self-expression when it is most needed.

The process of making art increases psychological health by encouraging emotion regulation and self-reflection. This provides children with a way to address their emotions creatively and naturally.

Bringing Art Therapy to School and Beyond: Getting art-based interventions included as part of the school curriculum can have a big impact. The creation of special art therapy programs in schools where they are incorporated into the existing health framework can be an excellent way to enhance their sense of worth, pride, and accomplishment. This also aids in improving problem-solving skills and social interaction and communication, particularly for those who have anxiety and coping issues leading to a positive impact on overall well-being and educational performance.

Furthermore, according to the National Mental Health Survey (2015-2016), 7.3 per cent of teenagers aged 13 to 17 years suffer from psychiatric disorders, which range between 29.4 per cent and 5.84 per cent in urban and rural settings respectively. This disparity can also be associated with urban lifestyle issues where parents experience much stress due to extreme jobs and long hours taken at work, leaving less quality time to be spent with kids. Additionally, many urban parents are not aware of the mental health issue or consider it as a stigma to be discussed. Artistic and creative involvement also tends to enhance the mental health of families. Strong awareness can enable parents to look for signs of distress in their children and appropriately address their needs. The level of resilience among families increases and creates new bonds by raising levels of strength.

By highlighting awareness of mental health and creativity involvement for both, urban families can have an enhanced social context to create a huge difference regarding the wellbeing of adolescents’ mental health.

Towards a brighter future: There are numerous benefits of including art-based therapies in children’s and teenagers’ mental health care.

These therapies provide a unique method of addressing mental health concerns, facilitating emotional expression, and enhancing therapeutic participation. Policymakers, mental health providers, and schools must therefore be encouraged to include art therapy as a regular practice in classrooms. This work will eventually lead to strong mental health care among future adults. Such efforts are prone to promote resilience, creativity, and emotional well-being in the next generation, paving the way for a brighter, more supportive environment for all children and teens.

(The writer is head of ARTS, Orchids, The International School; views are personal)