The creation of art is defined as an expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. This form of visual communication has existed for thousands of years and provided a unique window into past societies and the individual human psyche.
Because the creation of visual art engages the artist on a non-verbal level, the use of art as therapy for those struggling with mental illness is garnering a sizeable following and therapeutic groups continue to gain in popularity.
However, the majority of creative arts therapy groups are located in urban centres, leaving those in smaller communities relatively isolated. A dedicated group of volunteers in Wellington North and Minto are hoping to change that.
Zabrina Tocher and Savi Buchanan met at one of the Homewood Health Centre’s art therapy sessions in Guelph. Inspired by the profound psychological changes they experienced during the classes, they now want to start their own group in Mount Forest.
“There’s just not the support (in rural areas) for people to turn to or utilize,” Tocher says. “This (group) is free, so if you have financial difficulties you can still attend and make use of the services with out paying for supplies. That’s why we’re hoping to get a good chunk of funding.”
The Mount Forest branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association has donated a space at their office for the sessions and hosted a garage and bake sale in their parking lot on Aug. 8 and 9. Tocher says they currently have enough money to get started but require at least $5,000 to ensure the group is able to continue.
Although mental health awareness is slowly coming to the forefront of mainstream society, many of the old prejudices remain in smaller communities. Tocher says they need groups like this to help alleviate the stigma surrounding mental health– get people out and give them a safe place to find support and friendship.
“It’s not identifying. You don’t have to come in and say look, I have a mental health issue. It’s not like that at all,” she says. “It creates a sense of community and friendship and shared experience. I think that’s really important for people with mental health issues because a lot of times people are isolated … it’s really important for them to know there’s a place out there where they can find comfort.”
The fact that the group will be entirely peer supported makes it unique Tocher says.
“That’s kind of the new standard in mental health, what it’s moving into. We have had this experience and we know what each other are going through, so it’s kind of the new frontier.”
Buchanan, who currently offers art lessons out of her home in Palmerston, will be one of the group’s “creative mentors.” She says during the darkest days of her struggle with mental health, art is what helped her make it to the other side, since it gave her an outlet for the things she couldn’t put into words.
“Before I didn’t care about anything, I just wanted to die. I am a success story when it comes to art,” she says. “I can’t (express myself) most of the time, I get really mad or too submissive, so my thing is art. Without my art I’ll die, I’ll have no purpose to be here.”
Because it bridges communication gaps, the creation of visual images generates empathy and understanding from those who may not understand what it is to struggle with mental health. It provides a dialect.
“Can I be such a bad person if I can bring all this forward?” Buchanan asks. “It takes someone who understands and appreciates a person’s art to understand who he or she is.”
The women will be hosting a meet and greet in September for anyone who may be interested in joining the group, mentoring art sessions or making donations to the initiative. Tocher says they hope to start with one meeting a month and go from there– eventually hosting individual meetings in Clifford, Harriston and Palmerston as well.
The women say the goal is simply overall wellness.
“I’ve learned to live again and embrace who I am,” reflects Buchanan.
“All my life I wanted to be an artist, but I never did – I painted in the background. I knew I had to make money and have a house and a nice car and a family and kids, but I had to fix me first … If I don’t have what I need, how am I going to give anybody else what they need?”
