Review of arts-based therapies for Canadian youth with lived experience of mental illness

Abstract

Canadian youth can experience a range of mental health problems and mental illness, many of which perpetuate into adulthood. In contrast with preventative and medical care for physical problems, youth who experience difficulties with mental health or illness meet restricted access to evaluation, diagnostic and treatment services. Obstacles vary from low funding levels for services to the fear of being stigmatised by society. Conventional therapies could be complemented by the use of arts-based therapies, which are reported to offer a tangible alternative and could relieve delays in treatment. However, research regarding the treatment options, monitoring and assessment of outcomes is based largely on narrative evidence or idiographic studies, thus constraining the dissemination of supporting evidence and limiting the range of treatments for use by practitioners. While arts-based therapies receive support from many areas, including people with lived experience of mental health problems and illness, it is argued that the development of a theoretical foundation and extensive empirical research are required to develop the potential that arts-based therapies have to offer.

Keywords:

• arts-based therapy
• youth mental health
• review

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Katherine Boydell, PhD, for her advice on an earlier version of this article.

Notes

1. In order to reflect the range of individual circumstances that are involved within the thera‐peutic setting, the terms “patient” and “client” have been avoided in favour of “people”, “youth”, “individuals”, “people with lived experience” and “youth with mental health problems or illness”. Although it is recognised that this terminology may be at odds with that currently used in applied and clinical settings, it more closely reflects the general goals and spirit of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (2009) report, Toward recovery and well-being: A framework for a mental health strategy for Canada.