Dr Philip Crowley, National Director for Strategy and Research, HSE, contributed to the inaugural Creative Brain Week which was hosted by the Global Brain Health Institute (GHBI) in Trinity College Dublin from the 12th – 16th March. This pioneering event explored how brain science and creativity collide to seed new ideas in social development, technology, wellbeing and physical, mental and brain health throughout our lives.
Dr. Crowley particularly focused on the role of arts and creativity to promote health and improve health care with “evidence that the arts contributes to the promotion of good health, and prevention of a range of mental and physical health conditions, as well as treatment of management of acute and chronic conditions. For example, singing has been found to improve a sense of general wellbeing, improve quality of life, improve cognitive function, reduce depression and improve social connectedness. Another example is the Lived Lives project in UCD that goes behind statistics and uses the art of storytelling to capture stories of some of the young lives lost to suicide in Ireland which is both very powerful and very important”.
There is an increased focus and investment in arts and health within the HSE through an agreed partnership between Department of Health, Creative Ireland, The Arts Council and HSE. Dr. Crowley acknowledged the challenges of developing and integrating arts in health, but also identified opportunities including the “increased need to focus on creativity and innovation to continue to improve services for the public. Also, the potential of arts and creativity to help deliver on a key area of Sláintecare in promoting health and wellbeing. Arts and health is an area we will continue to invest in the HSE and develop across all areas”.
Videos of most of the sessions are available at https://creativebrainweek.com/events-2023/