Abstract
Background
The Arts on Prescription Programme in Greece is an innovative, community-based initiative offering structured engagement in the arts to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses. Although not a direct therapeutic tool, the program complements clinical care by promoting emotional expression, self-awareness, and social connection. This study presents the qualitative component of a mixed-methods research project, with the quantitative analysis currently under pre-print publication. The qualitative study addresses the question: can non-clinical, creative interventions enhance mental health, self-perception, and social integration in psychiatric patients?
Methods
This study employed a qualitative design using 15 focus groups (80 participants-psychiatric patients and coordinators), conducted at the end of two 3-month program cycles. Participants attended weekly 2-hour art-based sessions in cultural venues, co-facilitated by an artist and a mental health professional. Thematic analysis, conducted manually and supported by NVivo15, explored participants’ experiences and outcomes, guided by three models: “Reclaiming Sense of Self,” “Building Community,” and “Surfacing Empathy”.
Results
Patients reported improved self-esteem, rediscovery of talents, reduced isolation, and enhanced emotional expression. Themes of social bonding emerged through shared creative processes, trust-building, and a renewed sense of belonging. Participants also described increased empathy and understanding of others. Coordinators experienced greater awareness of mental health challenges, improved collaborative skills, and personal growth linked to the transformative power of the arts.
Conclusions
Arts-based interventions can meaningfully enhance mental well-being when embedded in community settings. These findings support integrating such programs into public health strategies to foster emotional resilience, social connectedness, and self-discovery.