Arts on prescription is a way to make the most of existing cultural assets during the Covid-19 recovery, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland says.
In its submission on the Department of Health's draft mental health strategy, the funder "fully endorses" an emphasis on preventative approaches and encourages greater investment in social prescribing.
It said it is well placed to provide "agile and targeted support" to address conditions such as depression and anxiety but wants care homes to be encouraged to engage more with the cultural sector.
ACNI also expressed concern that a proposed 10% increase in funding for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is "insufficient".
It suggests a prevention concordat similar to England's is developed for use in Northern Ireland: "The Arts Council of Northern Ireland would encourage a joined-up, cross-government approach to delivering the strategy, one that recognises the contribution that culture, art, sport, health,
education and local government can bring to the challenges facing mental health provision."