Since the start of the pandemic it is reported that the number of people suffering with depression has doubled [1]. In England alone it is predicted that up to 10 million people, the equivalent of almost 20% of the population, will require medical support for either new or existing mental health conditions; ranging from anxiety and depression through to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [2].
These are some alarming numbers. But despite the level of pandemic induced anxiety dropping by almost 20% between March 2020 and February 2021, it is apparent that whilst we are slowly becoming accustomed to living with the virus, we’ve still got a long way to go when dealing with its cognitive consequences [3].
But how exactly can we improve our mental wellbeing?
With society having now fully opened its doors there are a wealth of opportunities ready to welcome us back – from nightclubs, to bars, to restaurants, to cinemas and of course, theatres. That’s right, the arts are back in full swing. And it is wonderful! But with that in mind the arts don’t just provide us with culture and entertainment, but they are proven to improve our mental health.
‘Engaging in arts, social activities and interaction within our communities can help with major challenges such as ageing and loneliness. It can help to boost confidence and make us feel more engaged and resilient. Besides these benefits, art engagement also alleviates anxiety, depression and stress.’
– The Mental Health Foundation
Image: Arts Council England
A sense of community
Engaging in the arts can create a sense of community and belonging. It is an opportunity for like minded individuals to come together and express themselves through the medium of theatre. This can help to combat loneliness and isolation whilst providing a space for you to share your own experiences.
Creative outlet
Partaking in performing arts can alleviate mental health issues as it provides you with a creative outlet and a form of escapism from everyday life. The drama room is a microcosm of the outside world. If you can work outside of your comfort zone within the drama space, and use your imagination to create a new journey for yourself, then you can do that outside of the drama room too.
Addressing health
There are a number of plays out there which highlight important mental health topics, helping to educate an audience. By engaging and empathising with the story in front of them, the audience are able to draw parallels from this with their own lives. This provides the potential to help the audience recognise similar issues they may be experiencing themselves, prompting them to seek advice, or by providing a better understanding on how to help others. It can also lead to individuals feeling understood, validated or inspired, as when we are feeling low and watch other people’s stories played out, we realise we are not alone.
We dare you to see how performing arts helps your mental wellness – why not try going to the theatre, attending a local theatre group or even our Dare Sessions.
To learn more about how the arts can benefit your health, check out our Body image Hot Topics video series.
Written by Ldn Dares Artistic Director and Body Confidence Coach Ursula Joy
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/research-and-policies/wave-10-late-february-2021