Mental health preservation programmes, art therapy session series

Along the theme of the 14-year old Silence Days series in Veszprém and based on the openness of the organisers, the art therapy sessions found a home in the institution. Later on, other organisations joined in, and the initiative was given a boost by the support of the Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture project.

A longer, more self-awareness-oriented series of programmes could differ in several respects from what was previously the case. The session focussed not only on pedagogical but also on psychological aspects of art, so that the group experience offered opportunities for development on additional levels, both individually and collectively. Creative art activities support the correction process through non-verbal communication of thoughts and feelings. It provides a model of understanding that allows the individual to get closer to his/her own inner world, emotions and traumas, unresolved conflicts and everyday problems in order to change the level of subjective well-being in a positive direction. It can be used with children, adolescents and adults in individual and group settings. The focus is on the creative means of expression rather than the product itself, so that the focus is on the participation of the individual rather than on the aesthetic judgement of the creation.

The main content and form of the series of programmes includes creative activity in groups, using artistic tools. In general, what can be said about this type of art activity is that the focus is not only on the actual creative process: self-esteem is enhanced, motor skills are developed and individuals can learn new techniques while developing skills and abilities. In art therapy, there is a strong emphasis on imagination and non-verbalisation, and one of the aims of the sessions is to create a product. Subsequently, the artwork itself provides an opportunity for reflection, understanding and revision and, importantly, the artwork can be viewed after a longer period of time. The framework of each session involves facilitating participants from arrival to departure and beyond. From the attunement, through the creative process, to the integrating phase, each session is unique and experientially unrepeatable. You can observe the reactions of the participants, the creation phase and the subsequent conversation. Problems can be assessed and, with the right support, worked through. And the participants' need for a personal experience guarantees a continuation, which, from session to session, shows the interest of those who return to maintain this type of series.