Art, music, nature: How they boost mental health

Mental health support and resources extend far beyond the traditional realms of mental health professionals and medication.

- Joyce Teo

Many aspects of daily life can play a significant role in improving mental health and well-being, including creative activities such as art, music and dance movement.

At the National University of Singapore and National University Health System's Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre, its director, Associate Professor John Wong, said that non-drug approaches can help people cope with stress and despair as well as aid them in their mental health recovery.

For instance, the care and companionship of an animal can be very therapeutic. Research done at the University of Hong Kong has shown this is particularly so for "hidden youth", as it helps these young people, who isolate themselves within their homes or rooms for months, to regain their self-belief.

"They (socially withdrawn youth) have low self-esteem and feel very rejected. When they are paired up with rescued animals that were rejected by their previous owners, the youth can connect with the dogs and cats," said Prof Wong.

This motivates them to care for the animals, and, from there, they may move on to get a job as an animal groomer, for instance, he said.

Here is a quick look at some of the non-drug mental health approaches that can be found here.

ART THERAPY

This uses artistic means such as drawing, painting or sculpting to treat mental illnesses and improve health.

It is used in hospitals for various purposes. For instance, at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital and the National University Hospital, it is used to engage children who do not respond to talk therapy, said Prof Wong.