Creating a difference – a role for the arts in addressing child wellbeing in conflict-affected areas

Buser, Michael; Brännlund, Emma; Holt, Nicola J.; Leeson, Loraine; Mytton, Julie

Abstract

Background:
This paper details findings from an arts intervention project that explored the role and potential for arts activities and art therapy to support the mental health and wellbeing of children living in Kashmir, an area of long-term conflict and unrest.

Methods:
The intervention was co-designed by an academic team, artists and art therapists, and a school in the Kashmir Valley. The project engaged 30 school children over the course of one year who produced various forms of artwork and performances. In this paper, we report on project impacts, drawing on some of our qualitative measures including observations and interviews.

Results:
Our research details specific impacts and improvements in areas of emotional expression, belonging, and agency. We also found an important role for schools to create safe, secure, and caring spaces to allow students to express themselves and work through traumatic feelings in a non-judgemental way.

Conclusions:
The work suggests that school-based arts interventions can play an important role in the mental health and wellbeing of children. Critical here, however, are dedicated space, time, and resources to provide a supportive environment and to sustain activity beyond short-term or individual components.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 11, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jan 23, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 11, 2024
• Journal: Arts and Health: An International Journal for Research, Policy and Practice
• Print ISSN: 1753-3015
• Electronic ISSN: 1753-3023
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 32-47
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2023.2168710
• Keywords: Mental health, Action Research, Qualitative data analysis, Kashmir
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10357855