Did you know art has the power to lessen the effects of mental health issues? It’s been scientifically proven to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression while boosting confidence and making us feel more engaged and resilient.*
Pretty cool, right?
As an artist, I find this fascinating. In fact, I often find myself creating more artwork during times of stress or feeling a wave of happiness upon completing an artwork.
And there’s scientific research behind this.
- A first-of-its-kind study by King’s College London has found that looking at art can – as well as moving us emotionally – benefit our physical wellbeing by reducing stress and inflammation.
- Tony Woods, a researcher at Kings College London, said: “Art doesn’t just move us emotionally – it calms the body too.”
- Stress hormones and inflammatory markers like cortisol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha are linked to a wide range of health problems, from heart disease and diabetes to anxiety and depression. The fact that viewing original art lowered these markers suggests that cultural experiences may play a real role in protecting both mind and body.
- Tony added: “Art had a positive impact on three different body systems – the immune, endocrine and autonomic systems – at the same time.”
- Jenny Waldman, director at the Art Fund, said: “What’s particularly exciting is that the findings show these benefits are universal – they can be experienced by anyone.”
What is art therapy for mental health and depression?
Art therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses creative activities, such as drawing, painting, music, movement, or crafts, to help individuals express and process their emotions.
Initially introduced in 1942 by British artist Adrian Hill, today’s sessions are generally guided by a trained art therapist and are designed to bypass verbal barriers. This makes it easier for people to explore complex feelings, reduce stress, and improve their mental well-being.
“I don’t know if I’m extremely sensitive or life is unbearable.”
Vincent van Gogh
So, how does art help mental health?
You don’t need to be an artist to experience the mental health benefits of creativity. Whether you’re interested in painting, journaling, crafting, or just looking at a piece of art on a wall, creative expression can have a powerful impact on your brain. Art can boost your mood, help you process feelings, and even lower stress levels.
Here are five ways it can support your overall wellbeing:
- Emotional expression and processing – Art provides a healthy outlet for emotions that may be hard to verbalise. This can be especially helpful for people dealing with anxiety, trauma, or grief, allowing them to express feelings safely and release internal tension.
- Stress relief and relaxation – Ever felt calmer after colouring or doodling? That’s because creative activities can bring you into a soothing, meditative flow state. Making art has even been linked to reduced stress hormones in the body.
- Boosts mood and self-esteem – Finishing a piece of art, no matter how simple, can spark a sense of achievement. This can increase dopamine, the ‘feel-good’ chemical, helping boost motivation and overall mood.
- Supports brain health and cognitive skills – Art engages multiple parts of the brain linked to memory, problem-solving, focus, curiosity and imagination. Repeated creative practice can also improve fine motor skills and hand–eye coordination.
- Builds connection and community – Joining an art class or creative group is a great way to meet people, combat loneliness, and find support from others going through a similar experience.
Beyond personal well-being, many contemporary artists reflect on their mental health or highlight mental health struggles in their work.
Contemporary art about mental illness.
Notable artists include:
Yayoi Kusama
One of today’s most famous living artists, Kusama’s work is inseparable from her mental health experiences. She speaks openly about her hallucinations and obsessive impulses, and channels them into immersive polka dot installations.
Andy Warhol
Well-known for his pop art, Warhol used repetitive imagery, as seen in his Campbell’s Soup series, to mirror obsessive thought patterns and the numbing effect of mass media. While he often masked vulnerability behind glamour and detachment, his work invites viewers to question how identity, loneliness, and mental health operate beneath surface aesthetics.
Tracey Emin
British artist Tracey Emin bases many of her artworks on her past trauma, depression, relationships, and recovery. Her deeply personal works confront her vulnerability and emotional turmoil, as seen in My Bed (1998), as well as her neon text works.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Basquiat’s explosive, text-filled paintings combine graffiti energy with symbolism rooted in race, trauma, mortality, self-worth, and emotional struggle. His frenetic brushwork illustrates a restless, unfiltered mind navigating pain, genius, and vulnerability.
LUAP (Paul Robinson)
London-based artist LUAP uses recurring figures, such as The Pink Bear, to explore identity, anxiety, and existential unease. His series The Unconscious Therapy explicitly engages with the inner psychological realm, blending street art energy with introspective motifs.
Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh’s work is inseparable from his mental health journey. During periods of depression and hospitalisation, he painted iconic pieces like Irises and The Starry Night. His expressive brushstrokes and vivid colours translate emotion into visual form, reflecting the beauty and turmoil of his inner world. His art shows how creativity can transform pain into something profoundly human and luminous.
How does making art support my mental health?
Over the years, I’ve developed a painting style that enables me to process my life and the world around me. Each painting I create captures a moment, place, or period in time, which I assemble into a collage-like composition. They can be made using positive or negative experiences. But by the time I’ve finished the painting, I’ve dealt with the associated experience.
For example, with my painting Bridget: Colourful Chicken. I rescued some ex-battery chickens to give them a second chance at life. They were all skinny bags of bones when they arrived, and I enjoyed feeding them different foods – they were particularly fond of watermelon.
Or, my painting Cambodia: Underwater Angkor Wat. This was inspired by a trip to Cambodia in 2025. I started with the orange background, mixing up a colour inspired by the robes worn by Cambodia’s monks. After splashing this on, I scattered dry rice, one of the country’s staple foods, over the surface to create an interesting organic pattern. Next, I added the lily pads. Finally, I painted Angkor Wat, one of Cambodia’s most iconic temples, using images I captured during my visit.
Conclusion
Art isn’t just something to put on a wall and admire; it’s a powerful tool for emotional healing and self-expression. From scientific studies showing reduced stress and inflammation to the benefits of art therapy and personal creativity, it’s clear that engaging with art can support our mental well-being in meaningful ways. Whether we’re viewing art in a gallery, picking up a paintbrush, or journaling, creativity gives us time and space to reflect, connect, and feel.
Ultimately, you don’t need to be an artist to experience these benefits – just a desire to observe and create. When you’re ready, challenge yourself to pick up a pencil and draw how you feel.
That’s all for now ✌️
Your paint-pal
Hi there; I’m Rebecca, a British artist and copywriter, and I’ll never be ‘ready enough’ to write a bio in the third person. I’ve been practising my crafts ever since the day I picked up my first pair of scissors in primary school and glued my fringe to a collage. Tasteful, eh?
When I’m neither painting nor writing, you’ll find me gardening, snowboarding, baking cinnamon buns or practising Muay Thai.
*Disclaimer: I’m neither a scientist nor an art therapist. I have a deep interest in the link between art and mental health, and I enjoy learning about this topic.
Frequently asked questions
How can art be used for mental health?
Creating art (or art therapy) is a safe space that allows people to recover from trauma and express themselves non-verbally. This can improve a person’s mental health and interpersonal relationships.
Why is creativity good for mental health?
The act of creating has the power to lower stress, anxiety, and depression, leaving you feeling happier and more refreshed. So, channelling your time and energy into something productive can have a profoundly positive effect on your emotions.
What famous artwork is about mental health?
There are many famous artworks about mental health, including Edvard Munch’s ‘Self-Portrait in Hell’, which expresses his feelings on life as a man and a practising artist. As well as Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Irises’, one of a series of paintings created during his time at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in Saint-Remy-de-Provence, France.
What are 6 ways to improve mental health?
Try practising self-care; where possible, incorporate some of the following exercises into your daily routine to help you live well, manage stress, and boost your energy levels.
- Exercise – Just 30 minutes of walking can boost your overall mood.
- Healthy meals and hydration – A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Where possible, try to lower your caffeine and alcohol intake.
- Sleep – Create a realistic bedtime and aim to reduce exposure to blue light devices (like phones or computers) one hour before.
- Relaxing activities – Make time for hobbies that promote meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. This could include listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, visiting art galleries, or drawing.
- Practising daily gratitude. Write down the things you’re grateful for.
- Staying connected – Reach out to friends or family members for emotional support. And see if anyone would like to join you with the activities above.
