“Tereva, your participatory research using literary arts to build community and address mental health issues is inspired and at the vanguard of arts in health research/practice.”
What is Arts in Medicine?
It’s simple— there is healing in the process of creating. Though the field can seem ambiguous, Arts in Health, or Arts in Medicine is the the use of arts (through art making or engagement) as facilitated by a professional artist, to support health and wellness in healthcare and public health settings. Arts in Medicine professionals work alongside clinicians, administrators, policy makers, and researchers, offering a unique framework to support wellness, which is simply the innate use of creativity and play that we seem to lose along the way. We work in hospitals, behavioral health support settings, schools, community centers, museums, libraries, etc., offering a range of services from bedside performances, palliative care support, community art making, and workshops supporting physicians and caretakers in burnout prevention and compassion fatigue reduction.
This is a great overview of the field: What is Arts in Health?
What does this look like in practice?
I found a sacred awareness in providing musical support as a violinist aiding in end of life care in hospice facilities. These bedside performances ensures that there is a continued human connectedness, ongoing inspiration, comfort and peace as patients transition and families process the challenge of the unknown.
My research, Black.Write. Now. inspired my virtual Writing for Wellness Workshops. With research informed practices, my curriculum and facilitation supports stress reduction, meaning making, and enhances community.
Using movement, improv and storytelling, I support care providers, students and educators in strengthening the community of the workplace and learning environment, gain confidence in public speaking and expression of self, and identify practices to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue.
I am honored that I get to work alongside other helping professionals, using the tools that have supported and maintained my health. If you need a dose of creativity in your wellness routine, for support as a caretaker, or imbedded in the infrastructure of your organization, reach out, and let’s make some art!
