Light into Dark Places: Art and Healing
Heather M. Sloane, PhD & Dan Huesman, MSW, LSW | September 21 | 4:00-5:00 PM
Topic: Art | Knowledge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
This panel is a combination of consumer artists who have engaged in art interventions as part of mental health treatment. The artists will share what inspired their work and how art has been a helpful tool in coping and recovery. This panel is an analysis of the exhibit of the same name on display here at the 15th International Human Trafficking and Social Justice Conference. This is an example of how community mental health centers can collaborate together to raise awareness about the strengths of those with mental illness and disrupt common myths about those categorized with a diagnosis.
Presentation Objectives:
· Consider how communities can honor and respect the insights of those with mental illness.
· Identify the impact of art interventions on healing.
· Demonstrate the power of creative writing, art, and photography in raising awareness about injustice.
· Counter stereotypes about mental illness and understand how disrupting stereotypes is crucial in erasing implicit bias.
· Inspire agencies to provide art interventions that encourage connection and better understanding of mental illness.