Research highlights importance of creativity to young people’s mental health

A peer-led creative research programme has found that increased access to creative activities and spaces can support mental health and wellbeing among young people.

The research also highlighted a need for young people to have a say in the development and delivery of mental health services.

Young people from four youth-led arts organisations – Zest (Lincolnshire), The Warren (Hull), The Music Works (Gloucestershire) and Blaze (Lancashire) – conducted the research, which was commissioned by Arts Council England.

Millie Hutchinson, a young leader from Zest, said: “We wanted to understand more deeply what matters to young people.

“It came through loud and clear that people don’t always realise just how special and important the arts and culture is to helping young people realise their potential, and in creating the environment for better well-being.”

Anne Appelbaum, director of children and young people at ACE, added that the organisation commissioned the research to “create new, meaningful opportunities to listen to what [young people] really want when it comes to their own mental health and wellbeing, and they told us just how valuable access to arts and culture is in their lives”.