‘Art at Safe Homes’: A pioneer study among COVID-19 patients and their treatment team

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected mental health all over the world. The resilience of people is heavily influenced by it. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the usage of artistic engagement to overcome stress or anxiety of COVID-19 patients and the treatment team. METHODS:The study was carried out at two safe homes for COVID-19 care in Kolkata, India. Different art and performance activities were implemented like drawing, theatre, poetry and music. All total 42 participants (24 patients and 18 treatment team) participated at the venture. RESULTS:The study found isolation and fear of death as the most affecting factors for stress, and anxiety. Drawing therapy proved to be most suitable form for COVID-19 patients followed by music, theatre and poetry 66.67%, 57.14%, 21.43% and 7.14% respectively. The group art created by the participants depicted hope and care for next generation. Issues related to disease were the major focus of participants than socio-political issues with regard to forum theatre session. Almost every patient expressed their relief from stress by crying signifying the release from a high alert tension. The experience was the first time for the participants and almost 90% of them stated to have such kind of artistic engagement in future also. CONCLUSION: This was perhaps the pioneer study of artistic engagement in COVID-19 patients as a tool to enhance resilience. From the humanitarian and scientific approach COVID-19 patients and treatment team should also come under the umbrella of Art Therapy.

What can we learn from the COVID-19 pandemic? Resilience for the future and neuropsychopedagogical insights

“…Noticeably, activities such as artistic engagement can improve the level of resilience of individuals and communities (Reed et al, 2020 ). The creative process (e.g., drawing) allows the expression and processing of emotions within group interventions as well as with COVID-19 patients (Bhattacharya et al, 2022 ). Plus, it has been demonstrated that the creative potential represents a protective factor against COVID-19 lockdown stress (D'Anselmo et al, 2022 ).…”