The power of the arts

摘要

Art bridges the gap between mental illness as disease and mental illness as an integral part of the human experience, in a way that science cannot. Artists of all shapes and forms have tapped into their own mental suffering to find creative power. Artistic representations of mental illness can increase understanding and empathy for those who are ill, and the act of making art has been incorporated into the therapeutic process as art therapy. Right now, we seem to be on the cusp of a shift. Art and science are moving closer together in new ways, in a quest to throw light on some of humanity's biggest questions, including mental health. In this article we explore how this shift is shaping mental health research and practice.