This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth encourages the public to participate in our month-long art contest. It promotes the Mental Health America 2023 theme “Look around, look within” to explore and change your specific environment to meet your needs.

The Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene (CCDMH) invites the community to submit artwork illustrating their environment or safe space. Five winners will be chosen to be featured on our inspiration cards and have the chance to win an awesome swag bag!

Art can significantly impact your mental well-being, including increasing cognitive function, improving social skills, encouraging relaxation, and more. CCDMH utilizes art therapy through groups in our clinics that help clients tap into their artistic expression while improving their mood.

According to “Art and Recovery in Mental Health: A Qualitative Investigation,” a study designed by Dr. Chris Lloyd of the Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Queensland, participants stated they found art to be one of their most preferred forms of expression. Participants in the study concluded that they felt more self-satisfaction, imagination, expression, self-discovery, empowerment, and self-validation when using art as a tool in therapy compared to a typical one-on-one verbal therapy session. With the implementation of creative arts in recovery, individuals participating are less likely to feel pressured or anxious during the session.

The article states, “The participants were encouraged by personal self-discovery and self-generated strategies as a result of internal changes. Ultimately, the consumers’ journeys of recovery are all uniquely individual.

Each participant expressed the internal changes in different ways, although they may have experienced similar changes. Supportive relationships and the physical environment were significant in providing a creative environment in which they felt safe to take risks and be vulnerable in their journey of discovery. As more individuals share their recovery experience with art, there will be a greater understanding of the value of arts programs in providing opportunities for healing, self-rediscovery, forming a new identity, and participation and acceptance in the wider community”.

With those findings in mind, what better way to promote mental health than to have a community art contest? We look forward to seeing the community be involved in our art contest and hope those participating feel a sense of relaxation, self-expression, and self-validation while creating their submissions.

For instructions on how to enter, visit our Facebook Page, @mentalhygieneCHQ! Good luck!

Julie Paredes is social media coordinator at the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene.