The art of recovery: outcomes from participatory arts activities for people using mental health services

Abstract

Background: There is a growing evidence base for the use of participatory arts for the purposes of health promotion. In recent years, recovery approaches in mental healthcare have become commonplace in English speaking countries amongst others. There are few studies that bring together these two fields of practice.

Aims: The two aims of this study were (a) to investigate the validity of the CHIME framework for characterising the experience of Participatory Arts and (b) to use the CHIME framework to investigate the relationship between participatory arts and mental health recovery.

Method: The study employed a two-phase methodology: a rapid review of relevant literature followed by secondary analysis of qualitative data collected from 38 people who use mental health service who took part in participatory arts activities designed to improve mental health.

Results: Each of the recovery processes identified by CHIME are present in the qualitative research literature as well as in the data of the secondary analysis.

Conclusions: Participatory arts activities produce outcomes which support recovery, specifically including enhancing connectedness and improving hope. They can be recommended to people living with mental health problems.

Keywords: Arts; CHIME; participation; recovery.