Arts and Mental Health (2008)

As a key output from DADAA’s Disseminate project during 2008, DADAA has developed a significant new publication on arts and mental health. The publication has been developed to ensure broad national and international impact.

In collaboration with local and international practitioners, academics and consumers, the publication charts the individual, community, practitioner, therapeutic and systemic responses to arts and mental health both in Australia and internationally.

Central to the publication is a community narrative impact study of DADAA’s work in arts and mental health through the Freight Gallery and Studio programs. This narrative seeks to provide a multi-stakeholder response to the impact of Freight over the past four years on mental health consumers, artworkers, arts managers and DADAA’s broader culture.

Contributions have also been made by outstanding practitioners or researchers in their fields who have been invited to write a chapter on an issue or project of relevance. Contributors include Dr Mike White (University of Durham), Lindy Joubert (UNESCO Observatory/University of Melbourne), Danita Walsh (Creative Expressions Centre for Art Therapy, Graylands Campus) and Neal Price (Queensland Alliance).

Disseminate has been developed to reach a broad audience, which includes:

•    Health and allied health professionals
•    Art therapists
•    Government and policy makers
•    Researchers
•    The corporate sector
•    People with an experience of mental illness
•    Arts workers and CCD practitioners.

The arts and mental health publication was launched in June 2008.