Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Stephen Donnelly TD, Minister for Health, jointly affirmed their recognition of the health and wellbeing benefits of creativity and arts at a recent event; The Art of Being Healthy and Well Symposium. The all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme, the Department of Health (Healthy Ireland), HSE Health and Wellbeing and the Arts Council co-hosted a national symposium on the positive benefits of creativity and the arts on health and wellbeing at the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.
At the symposium, policy-makers and practitioners from the health, arts and culture sectors considered how best to harness the powerful contribution creative engagement can make to our health and wellbeing.
Two videos showcasing storytelling in the paediatrics ward of University Hospital Waterford and a music workshop with residents of St. Camillus’ Nursing Home in Limerick provided examples of the types of creative engagement that support the delivery of acute and community healthcare in Ireland.
Minister Martin also announced additional pilot funding, through the Creative Ireland Programme, to explore closer collaboration between local arts and health sectors in the area of social prescribing. The initiative will assist GPs and other health practitioners to refer people to local arts and creative initiatives in five pilot locations in Waterford, Dublin, Donegal and Mayo where this would be beneficial for their wellbeing.
Minister Donnelly referenced the World Health Organisation reporting an extensive evidence base showing how engagement with the arts sector plays an important role in enhancing wellbeing and mental health, noting:
“The holistic nature of these types of artistic and cultural activities fits perfectly with our vision for health and wellbeing. Health is not just about the absence of disease, it is about recognising the importance and interconnectedness of physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
Both Ministers also warmly welcomed the roll-out of a new pilot creative initiative that will have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the Traveller Community. The projects are being jointly funded by the Creative Ireland Programme, the Department of Health (Healthy Ireland), the Health Service Executive (Mental Health Unit / National Social Inclusion Office) and the Arts Council. The Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity 2022 initiative will fund five projects worth nearly €250,000 that are co-designed and co-produced by Travellers in support of Traveller health and wellbeing.
Paul Reid, Chief Executive Officer of the HSE said:
“I am delighted to see the ongoing and new arts and health projects being showcased today that are being delivered across the health service. Health service staff attending both in person and virtually will benefit from today’s event, building their knowledge in this area as we continue to utilise creative arts to benefit the wellbeing of service users and staff.”
