by Taylor Harris ~
Over the years the number of those battling mental illnesses has skyrocketed, and those are just the people who have admitted they’ve needed help or have a mental illness. Many go silent and don’t speak up when they’re down or struggling. Many individuals seek counseling, while others turn to hobbies or anything that can keep them busy. Suffering from depression, self-harm, and anxiety myself, I have always been taught that it’s important to find a healthy escape to my problems. One healthy escape and form of therapy is through the creative arts.
Photography allows me to think outside the box. I’m very proud of some of the works I’ve created. They make me feel pretty confident in myself.
I have journals upon journals stacked up in the desk in my room back home. Many of those journals contain some of the best works of poetry I have ever created. I am able to express my emotions in photography and painting on a canvas. That’s the beautiful thing about those who are brave enough to come forward and be open about their struggles–they’re able to take their own life experiences and trauma and put them onto a piece of paper/canvas or incorporate them in a photograph without causing harm to their body mentally or physically. We are given this struggle, why not fight back by producing something that allows us to express ourselves and allows our voices to be heard?
Poetry has been medicine for me and for others. Picking up a pen to write a short fiction story, creating a new dance routine, or even writing a new song can all be medicine. We’re able to reflect back on our past to see how we’ve improved through the creative arts. Research has shown that creative arts can benefit someone’s well being. Many therapists use both creative and expressive arts therapy to reduce their clients’ stress, boost confidence levels, and allow clients to use their creative thinking process. It also improves coping skills and cognitive thinking.
In the creative arts world, I don’t think there’s really a “good” category and a “bad” category because everything comes from within our own selves. (hint hint: the creative process). One cannot prove with facts that ” Taylor’s painting isn’t good.” I’ve always thought that was something positive to reflect on because those who suffer from mental illnesses are often less confident than others. They feel as if they’re not good at anything. With creative arts, there’s no right or wrong answer. Creative arts allow one to make their projects anything he or she wants it to be, which can lead to confidence boosts.
I’ve met Demi Lovato three times and I am meeting her a fourth time in March 2018. Her songs and use of the creative arts (to overcome her own mental illnesses) have helped me in the process of recovery.
Music can save lives. Personally, my favorite artist is Demi Lovato because her music inspires me to do better than my best. She suffered from depression, self-harm, bipolar disorder, and an eating disorder. She found her escape through music, and wrote about it, similar to what I have done with poetry. Demi writes music she knows her fans can relate to. I have one of her songs tattooed on the back of my neck that says “warrior;” because it’s something that has helped me through my everyday life.
Here is a journal I brought with me to school. It sits on my nightstand every day. If I have a bad day, I open it and write out my feelings or a poem, even if it’s just for five minutes. Getting your feelings out on paper relieves a lot of stress.
It’s amazing when someone can turn their dark days into art. Finding people who can relate to my poetry, art, or music is something that continues to help me. Sharing your work with others can open new doors and friendships for you as well. Creative arts are powerful, allowing us to do anything and to be anyone. It allows those battling mental illnesses to escape reality for a little while. As I mentioned earlier, one of the keys to recovering is finding your escape. Creative arts can very well be anyone’s escape. To answer my question, creative arts play a HUGE role in mental health.