Tuesday, November 13, 2018
British Doctors May Soon Prescribe Art, Music, Dance, Singing Lessons
Smart News | Smithsonian: An ambitious initiative unveiled this week by British Health Secretary Matt Hancock may soon enable the country’s doctors to prescribe therapeutic art- or hobby-based treatments for ailments ranging from dementia to psychosis, lung conditions and mental health issues. Writing for the Times, Kat Lay explains that this unconventional strategy, described by the U.K. government as “social prescribing,” could find patients enrolled in dance classes and singing lessons, or perhaps enjoying a personalized music playlist.
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3 comments:
This article made me really happy. I’ve always been big on incorporating the arts into schools, education, and other things because the creative process has been shown to be beneficial. I’ve researched how the creative outlets of taking part in arts classes can really help with mental health issues. Meilan Solly even talks about the medical benefits of arts engagement. I found it interesting learning about how 90% of the participants that took part in the orchestra reported improvement. That’s a really high number! Like Hancock said, “Access to the arts improves people’s mental and physical health. It makes us happier and healthier.”Also just the idea of more people making more art for the world, no matter the skill level, is great. Especially with suppression of the arts in favor of academics and hard science. Britain is doing a good thing by starting to move in this direction, and I can only hope the same for the US.
I have always loved the idea of viewing art as a healing process. This article proves with facts and figures how helpful it could be with strokes, Alzheimer’s, and mental health issues. The notion of avoiding steep prices of health care by not jumping to prescription medication and pricy treatments seems like a viable option. If there is an alternative, why not try it? This article also reinforces the importance of implementing strong arts programs throughout all schools. Arts give students an outlet from the arduous academic world. One of my theatre instructors always told my class about how he had taught at a school with many underprivileged children who found refuge in the art. Many of them did not have the resources to fund extracurriculars, but because their public school had a program, they were exposed to it. The arts can improve society, so it is an investment our government must make.
I think that this sounds extremely interesting. Though I can not speak to the medical side of the programs, I understand why these programs would work. Not only are people encouraged to seek out art, but if the activities are in groups, they could potentially make friends within the group. This may help them feel less isolated. I also think it’s wonderful that the programs will be so expansive and encompas cooking lessons, gardening, and bingo. Also, depending on the type of cooking lessons the person could either learn healthy cooking or how to cook for there community. The program could also help people with food insecurities or other healthy eating community initiatives. One thing the article left me confused about the aspect of the program in Wales for mothers and their babies. I wonder what arts they are planning on doing with the children and how this program in particular will help the community.
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