Counselling & Psychological Health Research

Art and Mental Health Recovery project

Researchers: Professor Margot Schofield, Patricia Fenner, Theresa Van Lith
Research Partners: Mind Australia (formerly Richmond Fellowship Victoria) and Prahran Mission
Funding: Mind (2007-2008); Prahran Mission (2007-2008)
Department of Human Services Fellowship awarded to Theresa Van Lith (2008-2009);
La Trobe University Postgraduate Research Scholarship awarded to Theresa Van Lith (2009-2012).

Summary

This project aims to develop a long-term collaborative research agenda on models of practice using art making in mental health recovery services, such as run by Prahran Mission and Mind in Victoria. The project takes account of the need for strategic consumer outcomes as well as exploring creative methodological solutions for the challenges of researching in this real world context.
The following tasks have been completed:

An in-depth review of the literature,
An audit of current arts-based programs provided in the two participating psychosocial rehabilitation organisations,
In-depth interviews of both staff and consumers,
The development of a conceptual framework that integrated the findings from these varied methods.

Status of the project: Current

Research Achievements to date:

Department of Human Services Fellowship awarded to Theresa Van Lith (2008-2009) to study the role of creativity and the arts in mental health recovery.

Conference Presentations

Fenner, P., Van Lith, T., & Schofield, M.J. (2009). Art facilitators’ perspectives on the role of art making in mental health recovery. Paper presented at the Arts/Health Conference, Newcastle, 7-9 October.

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., & Schofield, M.J. (2009). Understanding Consumers’ Experiences of Art Making and its Role in their Mental Health Recovery. Paper presented at the Arts/Health Conference, Newcastle, 7-9 October.

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., & Schofield, M.J. (2009). Exploring the role of art making in mental health recovery. Paper presented at the Australian and New Zealand Art Therapy Association (ANZATA) Conference, Geelong, 30-31 October.

Publications

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., & Schofield, M.J. (2009). Toward an understanding of how art making can facilitate mental health recovery. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 8(2). Retrieved from
www.auseinet.com/journal/vol8iss2/vanlith.pdf

Published Reports

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., Schofield, M., Pawson, Q. & Morgan, M. (2008). Creativity, the arts and art therapy in mental health recovery: Developing a research agenda. Melbourne: La Trobe University. ISBN: 978 192 1377 549 (print), 978 192 1377 570 (electronic).

Van Lith, T., Fenner, P., Schofield, M., Pawson, Q., & Morgan, M. (2009).The Role of Art Making in Mental Health Recovery: Final Report. Melbourne: La Trobe University. ISBN: 978 192 1377 686 (print), 978 192 1377 693 (electronic).

Executive summary: the role of art-making in recovery (PDF 4.92MB)

The role of art-making in recovery: part 1 (PDF 5.26MB)

The role of art-making in recovery: part 2 (PDF 2.49MB)

Counselling and Psychological Health - Research Projects