The Art of Well-Being: Creativity and Mental Health

Sarina Ehrgott
Sep 29
4 min read

On October 10, the world pauses to observe Mental Health Awareness Day, a reminder of the importance of caring for our emotional and psychological well-being.

At Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC), we affirm the arts as more than a form of cultural enrichment: they are vital to public health, healing, and civic life.

This belief is embedded in our strategic plan, where one of our core values is Art as Civic Well-Being. We state: “We believe the arts are essential to public health and civic life. By partnering with education, health, and civic institutions, BDAC demonstrates how creativity supports mental wellness, cognitive development, and social connection. We champion the arts as a vital tool for dialogue, healing, and collective resilience.”

Far from being aspirational words alone, this value is supported by a growing body of research from leading institutions that demonstrates the transformative power of art on mental health.

Art Reduces Stress and Supports Healing

According to Harvard Health, art-making provides measurable mental health benefits, particularly in lowering stress and improving overall mood. In clinical studies, patients who engaged in creative activities reported significant improvements in anxiety and emotional expression. One hospital-based program showed that just 50 minutes of art-making reduced symptoms of stress and pain while enhancing overall well-being (Harvard Health, “The Healing Power of Art”).

These findings affirm what many artists and educators have long observed: the act of making — not the final product — has inherent therapeutic value. Whether painting, drawing, or sculpting, art provides a safe space for reflection, expression, and release.

Art Builds Optimism and Connection

At Stanford University, research in arts and culture explores how creative practice builds not only skills, but also the inner resources that support resilience. Engaging in the arts has been shown to foster optimism, a sense of agency, and belief in one’s ability to shape outcomes — crucial mindsets when facing uncertainty or adversity (Stanford Arts & Culture Research).

BDAC sees this reflected in our community programs, from Family Art Night to artist residencies. These initiatives provide opportunities for people of all ages to gather, create, and connect. In moments of shared creativity, individuals discover not only their own capacities, but also a sense of belonging that is essential to mental health.

Art Provides Expression Beyond Words

Mental health challenges often defy easy verbal explanation. For children especially, art can provide an alternative language to process and communicate emotions. At Stanford Children’s Health, art therapy has been widely adopted in pediatric care, where young patients use drawing, painting, and other creative forms to express feelings they cannot yet articulate verbally. Art therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety, build resilience, and create a greater sense of control for children facing illness (Stanford Children’s Hospital, “The Transformative Power of Art Therapy”).

At BDAC, we recognize the importance of creating similar spaces where all individuals — children and adults alike — can find expression beyond words. Our exhibitions, workshops, and community programs aim to create moments where art serves as a bridge between inner experience and shared understanding.

Creativity as Civic Well-Being

Taken together, these studies confirm that art is more than an aesthetic experience; it is a public health resource. To engage with art is to strengthen resilience, foster social bonds, and open avenues for healing. This is why BDAC is committed to positioning creativity at the center of civic life — in schools, in community spaces, and in everyday homes.

On this Mental Health Awareness Day, we invite you to embrace art as part of your own wellness journey. You do not need to be a professional artist, or even consider yourself “creative.” What matters is the act of doing, of pausing, and of giving yourself permission to create.

As research affirms and our values declare: art is essential to well-being, and every body deserves access to its healing power.

References

Harvard Health Publishing. “The Healing Power of Art.” Harvard Health Blog. Harvard Medical School.
Stanford University. “Arts & Culture Research: Creativity and Human Flourishing.” Stanford Arts.
Stanford Children’s Health. “Embracing Mental Health: The Transformative Power of Art Therapy.” Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

At-Home Mindfulness Art Projects

Here are three simple projects you can try at home. Remember: the goal is not the product, but the process.

1. Timed Drawing Meditation

Set a timer for 5 minutes.
With pencil and paper, draw continuously without lifting your hand.
Focus on the movement of your line and your breath, not on making an image “look good.”

2. Color & Emotion Journal

Choose a set of colored pencils or paints.
Without using words, fill a page with shapes, colors, or textures that reflect how you feel in the moment.
Observe afterward: how does it feel to see your emotions represented visually?

3. Collage of Calm

Gather old magazines, scrap paper, or printed images.
Tear or cut shapes, colors, or words that feel soothing.
Arrange them into a collage, focusing on balance and repetition. The act of assembling becomes a meditative practice.