The Artivism Intervention: Can art be used to conscientise artists (Mental Health Service Users) and audience (the general public)?

Abstract

Social attitudes can be problematic for mental health service user’s (MHSU’s) in everyday settings, medical encounters, at work, and within social networks. The present research ‘The Artivism Intervention’ aimed to generate a proactive intervention to raise awareness of mental illness by producing artwork of MHSU’s experiences to exhibit to the general public. This thesis aims to understand two questions (1) can art be used to conscientise (raise consciousness) amongst artists (MHSUs) and audience (the general public), and (2) are discussions about artwork an effective intervention to raise awareness of mental health stigma and suggest possible solutions?

Artivism is a proaction strategy using art as a tool to raise public awareness of Disability and Mental Health Service Users experiences. A mixed methodological approach using a qualitative Thematic Analysis was utilised to examine MHSU’s experiences in studies one (chapter four). The Workshops (study one) were undertaken at Reachout: With Arts in Mind a mental health and arts charity. An exhibition (study two) exhibited MHSU’s artwork (produced by study one), at The University of Stirling Central Library. Questionnaires (study 2A) and group interviews (study 2B) were employed to gauge public views after viewing the exhibition. A quantitative analysis provided numerical findings in study 2A (the questionnaires) and a Thematic Analysis was employed in study 2B (the group interviews). The findings show that new knowledge and conscientisation was produced. However, there was limited evidence of conscientisation in practice, during the art workshop process. Overall, the present research found that ‘The Artivism Intervention’ has the potential to generate positive change and raise awareness of mental illness and disability. The intervention could be incorporated into integrated care pathways providing a supportive role to aid patient recovery in their local communities after hospital discharge.