Using the Arts to Increase understanding and support for People Living with Mental Illness

Abstract

To reduce stigma towards people living with mental illness in Hong Kong, a three-phase community arts project was initiated. In Phase 1, the exhibit was hosted in several public locations in order to initiate understanding and raise awareness. Participants completed surveys and posted comments. In Phase 2, participants viewed the exhibit in an art studio, created art based on their own emotional response and generated recommendations for policies that could alleviate stigma. In Phase 3, people living with mental illness and general members of the community created art together and participated in discussions to evaluate and elaborate on policy recommendations. The result was pragmatic strategies for reducing stigma towards people living with mental illness and increasing social cohesion through 1) formal primary and secondary education curriculum, 2) opportunities to come together in recreational and service activities and 3) continuous media-driven public awareness campaigns. Beyond the specific policy recommendations, this project demonstrated that both viewing and creating art can stimulate social change by activating citizenship through: broadening views that challenge stereotypes; creating opportunities for fostering compassion, understanding and reflection; imagining reasonable courses of collaborative actions; and closing social distance between people living with mental illness and general members of society.