Policy Recommendations

“It emphasises the importance of illness prevention and, consequently, the determinants of health: how health is shaped by the cultural constructs within which it is situated and how it can be promoted at both an individual and a society level … In the decades since 1948 when this definition of health was published, the concept of health has expanded further: Complete health and well-being may not be everyone’s goal. For example, the presence of a chronic mental or physical illness is not necessarily a sign of being ill but may be something that can be managed … Management is shaped in part by resilience and whether individuals can adapt with their health… Health is, therefore, a dynamic process that, at its core, is about having the capacity to self-manage.” (Fancourt / Finn 2019: 2)

Mental health and well-being are not a single campaign. This is a long, ongoing process and young people’s involvement as well as that of their parents is crucial for the positive outcome of it.

When offering arts and cultural activities in the framework of Social Prescribing we should be aware that the term “prescribing” might be counterproductive and look for different wording to appeal to young people.

Policy Recommendations

Cultural / health policy

• Should address the cross-sectoral nature of Arts for Health programs and involve institutions in the field of health and social services to formulate policy guidelines and models for providing financial support.

• Should ensure an offer of creative participative activities are included in school curricula to make sure all young people are reached regardless of their background.

• Should support projects offering free creative activities outside school to make sure that children and youth from families with economic difficulties can also profit from them (see example of the “Kulturrucksack” in Germany).

• Should work with the health and social sector to include arts and culture in “Social Prescribing”.

• Should support the cultural sector to conduct academic studies in collaboration with social and/or health professionals.