Imaging Journeys of Recovery and Learning: A Participatory Arts-Based Inquiry

Abstract

The relationship between processes of mental health recovery and lifelong learning is an area of increasing international interest. Experiences of transformation, positive effects on self-esteem, self-insight, and empowerment have been identified regarding both endeavors. Recognition of these benefits has stimulated collaborative development of educational programs in personal development, self-efficacy, and recovery principles. The importance of evaluating this educational provision has been emphasized; however, there has been little detailed exploration of students' experiences and perceptions of recovery and learning in the context of recovery education programs. In this article, we present a participatory arts-based inquiry with 14 women, including mental health service users, who undertook a recovery training program to support their roles as mental health support workers in Ireland. Participatory visual analysis revealed three recurring themes; the interrelatedness of learning and recovery journeys, knowledge as a source of stability and rescue and the need for resilience in learning and recovery.

Women Supporting Women: The Use of Art With Anxious/Depressed, Urban, Impoverished, Ethnically Diverse Women

“…Relative to ethnicity, the March 3 to 15, 2021 CDC Household Pulse Survey reported that symptoms of anxiety or depression, over the past 7 days, were reported by 39.6% of Hispanic adults, 38.2% Black adults, and 35.9% of White adults. Relative to gender, in this same period, 40.5% of women and 33.1% of men reported symptoms of anxiety or depression (Centers for Disease Control and While most envision a health-related art intervention as the production of art (Bone, 2018;Casey & Webb, 2019;Van Lith, 2015), the term has also included exposure to arts and cultural activities, such as dance, drama, poetry, photography, film, and music (Chiang et al, 2019;Crone et al, 2018;Dunphy et al, 2019;Jensen et al, 2016;Poulos et al, 2019;van de Venter & Buller, 2015). Given this, art engagement can be either receptiveexposure to music, literature or theater-or active as in art-making (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020).…”

“…While most envision a health-related art intervention as the production of art (Bone, 2018; Casey & Webb, 2019; Van Lith, 2015), the term has also included exposure to arts and cultural activities, such as dance, drama, poetry, photography, film, and music (Chiang et al, 2019; Crone et al, 2018; Dunphy et al, 2019; Jensen et al, 2016; Poulos et al, 2019; van de Venter & Buller, 2015). Given this, art engagement can be either receptive—exposure to music, literature or theater—or active as in art-making (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020).…”

“…The literature suggests an art intervention might be professionally led albeit by a variety of providers with varying qualifications (Chiang et al, 2019; Laranjeira et al, 2019; Poulos et al, 2019; Scope et al, 2017), consumer led (Bone, 2018), or the person responsible for the art-making may not be described (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020). Art interventions have been explored in various populations, including persons living with mental illness (Bone, 2018; Chiang et al, 2019; Dunphy et al, 2019; Jensen & Bonde, 2018; Jensen et al, 2016; Laranjeira et al, 2019; Uttley et al, 2015; Van Lith, 2015), African American women who are homeless (Moxley et al, 2011), chronically and terminally ill older adults (Vaartio-Rajalin et al, 2020), persons with dementia (Camic et al, 2014), adults with chronic pain (Kim et al, 2020), adult cancer patients (Kim et al, 2018; Lawson et al, 2016; Lee et al, 2017; Wood et al, 2013), and current/former mental health service users seeking to support their current role as mental health support workers (Casey & Webb, 2019).…”

Self-Management in Anxiety and Depression: A Psychometric Evaluation of a Questionnaire

“…In recent years, there has been an emergent focus on recovery in mental health care (Happell, 2008;Casey and Webb, 2019).…”

“…In recent years, there has been an emergent focus on recovery in mental health care ( Happell, 2008 ; Casey and Webb, 2019 ). Recovery is not only focused on reducing symptoms, but also signals “a movement toward health and meaning rather than avoidance of symptoms” ( Clarke et al, 2012 ).…”