Benefits of Art Therapy and Creative Experience in Unhoused Youth
In Canada, youth experiencing homelessness can face high levels of stress, trauma, abuse, loss of support, systemic challenges and identity issues. Creating a safe space through support programs are crucial to aid youth in their development, healthy relationships and ending homelessness. While programs often struggle to ensure their own futures and attempt to stimulate continuous participation, art therapy and creative expression is proven to be a positive resource for this vulnerable population.
Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that encourages self-expression through creative art forms like drawing, painting, clay, mixed media, and more. Creative art programs can be used to treat anxiety, depression, grief, trauma or PTSD, aging, addiction, and more. Specifically, art programs give youth the ability to express themselves in a safe space, even when words cannot. Youth experiencing homelessness are more susceptible to mental health struggles, but sometimes it can be difficult to express emotions in the right words. Imagery, colour, and shape aid in the therapeutic process, providing alternative ways for self-reflection and expression.
Mental Health Recovery: Art proves to be a positive coping mechanism. Through self-reflection, youth are supported in recognizing their emotions and identity which is an important stepping stone to verbalizing struggles, needs, and desires. Experiencing a non-judgmental space helps youth to express and create who they are - which often includes navigating and healing past traumas or mental health struggles.
Confidence/Voice: Art therapy shows that emotions are attached to what you make. Since art is always beautiful, the creation process and visual creations can improve confidence. By giving youth the confidence and ability to express themselves, it often leads to greater social connections or engagement with other social support programs or community members.
Reduce Stress: Regardless of art therapy’s benefits to identity/confidence and mental health recovery, art therapy at its core, is used to help reduce stress. The creation process has huge benefits in treating depression, anxiety, and feelings of being scared/overwhelmed, etc.
Overall, the benefits of Art Therapy and Creative Expression are endless, especially for helping vulnerable populations. For youth experiencing homelessness, art therapy has proven to treat mental health recovery, reduce stress, improve social connection and identity, and more. It is a useful tool in helping the individual but also can be adapted to aid in the prevention of larger systemic issues like discrimination, inequality and inequitable access to resources and care. For example, implementation of art therapy activities in school can support youth without a coping mechanism/healthy outlet or support system.
By: Hayley Kersten, Education Officer
