About the project
We know that many young people are currently living with anxiety and depression and that this can be really challenging. The Create for Confidence project was developed because we want to help prevent anxiety and depression before these symptoms begin or take root. We will develop an art and wellbeing programme (series of sessions) which can be delivered in schools as we think this can help prevent anxiety and depression.
Previous research has shown that taking part in art therapy and practising art (e.g. drawing, painting, photography) can help young people manage their emotions more easily and increase their self-esteem. This may buffer against anxiety and depression in young people. Some recent studies have shown that creating art, and art therapy, can have a positive impact on the mental health of children and adolescents as well as adults. Although the Create for Confidence programme will not be an art therapy intervention, we are drawing on the expertise of art therapists and creative therapists to explore if making art may help to prevent anxiety and depression.
Whilst schools offer an ideal environment to deliver programmes around art and mental health, programmes like this are often tied to research or charity funding and don’t carry on long-term.
This project will therefore explore whether it is possible to create a successful and sustainable art and wellbeing programme to help prevent anxiety and depression in UK secondary school students. Following feedback from our advisory groups, the programme will initially be aimed at students in Year 7 (aged 11–12 years old) to help prevent teenage anxiety and depression.
Our aims
We are working with young people, parents, school staff, researchers, charities, art therapists and mental health professionals to:
- better understand the experiences of staff supporting secondary school student mental health and explore what an art and wellbeing programme could look like
- assess challenges and helpful factors for an art and wellbeing programme in schools
- carefully review previous research to see whether art programmes in schools can support young people’s mental health
- “co-develop” or work together with a group of young people and a group of adults to make an art and wellbeing programme aimed at preventing anxiety and depression
- provide evidence on whether the art and wellbeing programme can be implemented in schools
Further info
To find out more about each of our research studies, read our research study plans.
For updates and progress on our research, check out our blogs.
The Create for Confidence project is funded by a Prudence Trust/Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Fellowship awarded to Dr Naomi Warne.