How Creativity Can Improve Your Mental Health: Insights from an Artist, Psychologist and an Employer

Throughout October, we’ve been holding an auction to raise money for Mind and promote taking part in creative projects to improve your mental health.

As part of this auction, we’ve spoken to Clarrie-Anne Cooper (whose paintings are up for auction), Dr Tony Ortega (Clinical Psychologist) and John Flanagan (Cartridge People, Managing Director) to find out how a creative pastime can help your mental wellbeing.

Clarrie-Anne Cooper, Creative Designer at Cartridge People

What made you decide to start painting during lockdown?

I have always been artistic, and I started watercolour painting to get away from the computer screen and to occupy my mind and to also help with the anxiety and isolation I was feeling during lockdown. Painting became an outlet for me to show my emotions on the page and what I also found was that this could then help others by sharing what I created on social media.

How has painting benefited your mental health compared to other activities?

Painting became an outlet for me to show my emotions on the page, I can paint in the comfort of my own home without judgement or distractions. I am a very creative person and when I look at the finished piece it gives me a real sense of joy and accomplishment.

How much time do you spend painting during the week?

I spend most of my evening’s painting during the week if I can. Depending on my spare time, it can range from an hour to 3 hours on a weekday after work and even longer on the weekends.

Dr Tony Ortega, Clinical Psychologist and author of two books

What would you say are the main reasons why Arts & Crafts are great for our mental wellbeing?

In general, engaging in Arts and Crafts allows for the busier side of our mind to shut down and the more fun/creative side to flourish. Under normal circumstances, our brains are bombarded with so much information via social media and other forms of news consumption we engage in. Our minds produce random thoughts like a Twitter feed. Throwing yourself into some arts and crafts allows you to silence all of that. For me, I find that it stimulates positive memories from childhood. As a young child, I was an avid colouring book enthusiast and had a rather large collection of them. Now, with the availability of digital colouring, I can do the same and not have to worry about going outside the lines. It’s so much fun and not only can I be a kid again, I feel so disconnected from any stress I may have had throughout the day.

What do you think are the main reasons why people are put off Arts & Crafts? And what would you say to encourage them to take up Arts & Crafts?

I feel that people associate arts and crafts as something juvenile and/or something housewives do. I don’t subscribe to either philosophy. Art has even become a form of therapy in the world. Most larger mental health agencies will have an art therapy department with art therapists. I also feel that the term “Arts and Crafts” could be quite limiting for folks. Really, anything that involves your hands in the production of something is arts and crafts. Woodworking while making something can be in this genre of activities. Literally, any activity that ends up producing something and does not need your intellectual/analytical mind is arts and crafts. This is the main reason why it is so useful in stress reduction. You aren’t thinking that much about all of your problems and don’t have to. Arts and crafts gives you permission to not think and just feel and enjoy.

Have you seen a greater number of people reach out to you for support during the pandemic?

I have seen a greater number of folks seeking services, as well as commentary in the media. People are stuck in their houses and sometimes alone. I know I have had the opportunity to look at myself and see the areas that I need to work on personally. This has also been happening to individuals world-wide. We are in a global state of unknown. This leads to increased anxiety. Therefore, professional assistance is sought out more readily. This global crisis decreases the stigma that is commonly associated with seeking mental health services. The fact that I am working remotely only facilitates people’s motivation to seek assistance as it feels safer than walking into a psychologist’s office.

Why during lockdown would you say Arts & Crafts are important?

What else do you have to do? All joking aside. This is an excellent stress reliever. You really can’t multitask while engaging in arts and crafts because you may mess your project up. Give yourself permission to have fun under the constraints of lockdown. It’s really about having a good time while you are unable to do many of the things you usually would be doing because of the pandemic/local lockdowns etc. You will forget, even if it’s just for a little bit, all the problems in the world, your job, your household and yourself.

John Flanagan, Managing Director at Cartridge People

How do you feel creativity can help employees and what’s it been like this year with staff working remotely?

Encouraging creative projects is important for us as a business and the benefits have been outlined by both Clarrie-Anne and Dr Ortega. During 2020, we’ve been faced with the huge challenge of not just making sure we can continue to grow and help customers but also constantly look at ways to ensure our staff are supported. Customer Services, Marketing and our Website Developers are just some of the departments who’ve had to adjust to working from home and we’ve had to make sure that adjustment doesn’t mean that their mental health is adversely affected.

What are you doing to help employees mental health when working from home?

By having clear communication channels and resources to help support our employees, we’re delighted with the way our people have handled the situation we’ve faced together this year. By having someone like Clarrie-Anne offering insight into what has also helped her over the past few months, we’re looking forward to seeing how much is raised through our auction for Mind.

How do you feel about the work Clarrie-Anne is doing to promote creativity to improve mental health?

We’re proud of the paintings Clarrie-Anne has produced to raise money for an amazing cause and we’re looking forward to sharing her story with our own staff and the wider community as an example of how creative projects can improve your wellbeing.

More Resources

Why not read our blog post which includes some self-care tips?