The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Mental Health

Creating things gives me a rush. It is both meditative and stimulating to put pen to paper and create something out of nothing. Nowadays, I often create out of necessity, whether for my mental health or to speak out about an issue that I feel the need to express my opinion on. My north star is justice, it guides my work and is the intention behind everything that I create.

I have learned firsthand how creative self expression has the potential to help those afflicted with mental illnesses and anxiety. There are endless creative ways to communicate through art that transcend barriers and limitations and go straight to the heart of the matter. The ability to express ourselves through the arts is something that no one can take away from us. We carry our creative nature with us wherever we go. Encouraging growth and healing through the act of being creative awakens us to our most valuable tool — our own inner strength and sense of self worth. To nurture this within ourselves and to solidify that we carry this with us always, can be the beginning of a path towards healing and rewriting our stories after trauma.

Graphic design aids in illuminating and guiding our society which links the importance of design as a tool for educating society. In the world of professional design, there’s still a stigma towards mental health conditions, despite increasingly open conversations about the topic. Perhaps some see admitting to having mental health

Studies also show that creating art stimulates the release of dopamine; this chemical is released when we do something pleasurable, and it makes us feel happier. Increased levels of this feel-good neurotransmitter can be very helpful if you are coping with anxiety or depression. Mental health professionals and experts agree that art therapy has many benefits, from boosting your self-esteem, and providing a safe outlet to relieve your emotions, to giving you a sense of control over your life and helping you to get to know and understand yourself better. During the process of art creation, there lies a journey of self-discovery that will help you eliminate emotional roadblocks, and learn how to communicate with yourself and others. Some benefits are:

Self-discovery: Creating art can help you acknowledge and recognize feelings that have been locked away in your subconscious.

Stress relief: Fighting anxiety, depression, or emotional trauma can be very stressful for you both mentally and physically. Creating art can be used to relieve stress and relax your mind and body.

Nature Inspired Design Promotes Mood, Satisfaction, and Productivity

Nature and landscape sceneries are therapeutic. Bringing it into the design concept is an effective initiative to influence positive mental health. Incorporating nature has a way of reducing anxiety and depression, thus reducing the negative implications of these mental conditions.

One of the most significant stressors for a person is the workplace. Many architects put a value on creating structures that make the workers feel relaxed and when creating a design, whether for a building or a website. It is paramount to create designs that contribute to mental healing, especially during these times when more people are becoming increasingly aware of the effects innovative user interfaces can have. Investing in educating on how everyone can benefit from engaging, satisfying, and interactive design can aid people in feeling less isolated and depressed. With the increasing cases of mental disorders brought about by the latest global pandemic, COVID-19, artists and graphic designers are challenged to present designs that are not only unique but also alleviate mental health issues. Whether it is in the digital or real world, integrating design principles that can somehow improve mental well-being is essential. It will not fix mental issues, but being creative in the design process may support a therapeutic environment that can contribute to a healthy mind.

WORDS + DESIGN + PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT BROCK PHOTOGRAPHY LINK TALLEY

The city of Eugene’s official slogan is “A Great City for the Arts and Outdoors”. These loves are combined and expressed in the vast number of murals found throughout the city. All throughout Eugene, and especially downtown, you can find murals of amazing quality and scale, made by artists both local and international.

Colossal works by Franco JAZ Fasoli and Beau Stanton rise above the downtown bus station while smaller works emblazon local businesses as both art and advertising. There is even a massive mural outside of Capella Market that was commissioned by the city of Eugene by globe trotting street artist Shamsia Hassani from Afghanistan.

Just as prevalent is Eugene’s uncommissioned street art. Graffiti coats alleys, fences and walls, a parade of tags in numerous colors and styles. The information age has given street artists a bottomless well of styles to draw from. But the nature of these works makes them ephemeral, only a matter of time before they are washed off or covered up with a layer of subtly mismatched paint.

The ubiquity of street art makes trips around town interesting, a shifting landscape of color peeking out from storefronts and alleys. A terrific variety of expressions are waiting everywhere, if you’re willing to look.