SOCIETY

The innovative program "Artist Residencies in Mental Health Units" is being implemented since 2016, as part of the memorandum of cooperation between the organisation K.S.D.E.O. "EDRA", the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and A.F.S.A.’s Office of Interconnection particularly.

Through this collaboration, the beneficial effects of art in mental health are promoted.

There were two phases, within the framework of the program. Under the supervision of the special therapeutic staff of the structures and the organizational program manager:

• A.S.F.A. students voluntarily visited K.S.D.E.O. "EDRA"’s mental health units and held artistic meetings of co-creation with the residents of the units
• 4 residents of K.S.D.E.O. “EDRA” units (accompanied by staff members) and 4 students of A.S.F.A., held  a six-day workshop in the artistic station of A.S.F.A. in Delphi, where they engaged  in artistic activities. The workshop was also attended by professionals and recipients of the services of the “Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health”.

Program's results (mental health service recipients’ and students’ artistic works) as well as snapshots from the implementation of the action, were exhibited at two artistic festivals, organized on the initiative and co-ordination of K.S.D.E.O. "EDRA":

• At the first European Festival Art Festival for Mental Health NEFELE, held on 1.10-16.10.2016, at the Bouziani Museum and at A.S.F.A.’s premises.
• At the 10th International Arts and Mental Health Festival ART4MORE, held on 13-15.10.2017 at TRII ART HUB.

Benefits for participants:

• to a large extent cover mental health recipients’ need to engage in creative activities
• opportunity for ASFA’s students, with a special interest in mental health issues to be more familiar with the use of artistic practice as a therapy  and to work with professionals  of mental health units
• excellent experience of participation in artistic activities for the staff of mental health units.

Except for the artistic meetings that students and mental health service recipients have, the program "Art Residencies in Mental Health Structures" focuses also on the preparation and implementation of:

• Educational seminars, conferences and educational programs on art and mental health.
• Artistic exhibitions and actions that promote creativity and fight the stigma of mental illness.
• Actions, which produce and promote knowledge on art and mental health.

The recording of the activities of the program “Art Residencies Mental Health Units” and its continuous evaluation throughout its implementation (through press releases, review meetings, focus groups, etc.) are important parts for the progress and the continuation of the program, as well as for its reproduction by other organizations with similar interests.

Transferring the knowledge and program techniques to other organisations is K.S.D.E.O. “EDRA”’s next goal.