The power of art for the health of children and young people!

Support young people after psychiatric hospitalisation and GIVE YOUR ARTWORK!

Where?

European Foundation for Art Therapy
ul. Nugat 5 lok. 65, 02/776 Warszawa, Poland

Until when?

20th of November 2024.

The auction will take place at ARTINFO.pl from 6 to 15 of December 2024.

1. The auction is a charity event.
2. The organiser does not provide a guaranteed price.
3. If you have questions or need help transporting the artwork – contact us.

The power of art for the health of children and young people!

In recent years, there has been a worrying trend of the age of patients hospitalised for mental health problems falling. Today, children as young as 10 years old, and often even younger, are being admitted to psychiatric hospitals. Eating disorders, social anxiety, addictions or depression are increasingly common challenges faced by young people. The experience of hospitalisation is a huge crisis not only for the child, but also for the whole family.

Unfortunately, after hospital treatment, many young people do not find adequate support for their recovery. They are often left alone to confront their difficult everyday life. Our programme, based on art therapy techniques, aims to create a safe space where young people can continue the healing process after hospitalisation, find themselves and develop their emotional resources.

Mazovia is one of the regions with the highest number of children receiving psychiatric care, due to its large population and the availability of services.

Data from the National Health Fund shows that the number of children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age) receiving psychiatric care is steadily increasing and that psychiatric facilities in Mazovia are overburdened. In the years 2022-2023, the Mazowieckie voivodeship was one of the voivodeships with the highest number of child psychiatric inpatients, which is part of a nationwide trend of increasing mental health problems in this age group.

Programme objectives:

1. Emotional and psychological support for young people after psychiatric hospitalisation.
2. Prevent recurrence of the crisis by creating a bridge between the hospital experience and everyday life.
3. Strengthening self-esteem and building skills to deal with emotions through artistic means of expression.
4. Developing communication and social skills within a peer group by working in a supportive and understanding atmosphere.
5. Family support by enabling young people to work through difficult emotions and problems without stigmatisation.

Programme description:

The programme will be run by a team of experienced art therapists and artists who will help young people to express their emotions through a variety of artistic techniques such as drama, painting, sculpture or photography. Each session will be tailored to the individual needs of the participants, creating a safe environment conducive to expressing difficult emotions and working towards understanding them.

Art therapy:

Art therapy as a therapeutic method is non-stigmatising and enables people to express what is often too difficult to say in words. Young people often feel alienated, misunderstood and unsure of themselves after leaving hospital. The creative process allows them to reconnect with their own emotions, gives them space to reflect and build new coping strategies. Drama in particular, which puts participants into fictional roles and situations, enables young people to explore difficult relationships and social anxieties in a safe environment, which fosters a renewed sense of control over their own lives.

Why art therapy?

Bridging the crisis and finding oneself: The artistic process gives participants the opportunity to understand their emotions and find new ways to cope with the challenges they face after leaving hospital.

Stigma-free: Unlike strictly verbal therapies, art therapy gives space to express oneself without having to share words, which eliminates the feeling of being judged.

A supportive rather than evaluative process: Creating art is in itself a creative process, rather than judging the outcome – this way participants have the chance to discover their value and build positive experiences.

For whom?

The programme is aimed at young people aged 10-18 who need support in further recovery after hospitalisation. Working in small groups of up to 10 participants will allow for an individual approach to each participant and create an atmosphere of trust and openness. An important element will also be the opportunity to support parents to better understand and support their children after a difficult experience.

Conclusion:

Our art therapy programme aims to support young people who, after leaving a psychiatric hospital, do not have the right tools to cope with everyday life. Through creative artistic techniques such as drama, painting or sculpture, young people will gain space to express themselves, rebuild relationships with others and work on their emotions. We support them in the difficult process of recovery, offering safe and out-of-the-box methods to help them rediscover their place in the world.

Would you like to give your artwork? Do you have any questions? Do you need help transporting your artwork?

Contact us: