Romania PA

POSTERS from ROMANIAN TEAM

About arts and mental health in Romania

In Romania, the connection between arts and mental health has gained increasing attention in recent years. While the country has a rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, mental health issues remain a significant challenge, especially given the stigma surrounding mental illness. The integration of arts into mental health care is slowly becoming a valuable tool in addressing these challenges.

The Role of Arts in Mental Health:

1. Therapeutic Use of Arts: In Romania, art therapy has begun to be recognized as a beneficial approach to mental health treatment. Psychologists, counselors, and therapists use various forms of art (such as painting, music, dance, and teather) to help individuals express emotions and deal with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and trauma.

2. Arts-Based Mental Health Initiatives: Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based programs incorporate arts into mental health services. These initiatives aim to create safe spaces where people can express themselves creatively, reduce stress, and combat feelings of isolation. For example, workshops involving painting, writing, or theater help participants reflect on their inner struggles in a non-judgmental environment.

3. Stigma Reduction through the Arts: Public art projects and performances are being used to raise awareness about mental health and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness in Romanian society. Theater performances that tackle mental health themes, poetry readings, and art exhibits that focus on mental well-being aim to spark conversations and increase public understanding of mental health challenges.

4. Cultural Heritage and Healing: Romania's cultural traditions, such as folk music, dance, and storytelling, are also being incorporated into mental health programs. These traditional forms of art serve as a source of comfort and identity for many people, especially in rural areas, helping to ground individuals facing mental health struggles.

5. Challenges: Despite the growing recognition of the role of arts in mental health, there are still many challenges. Access to mental health services, including arts-based therapies, is limited, especially in rural areas. Additionally, there is a need for greater public awareness and funding to integrate arts fully into the mental health care system.

Overall, the intersection of arts and mental health in Romania is an emerging field that holds great promise for improving mental health outcomes, enhancing emotional expression, and breaking down societal stigmas. However, continued efforts are needed to expand these initiatives and make them more accessible to the broader population.

• https://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/stiri/pasajul-octav-bancila-transformat-intr-o-opera-de-arta-in-aer-liber-la-bridge-delivery--1678089.html 

• https://romaniancreativeweek.ro/ 
• https://zilesinopti.ro/2024/09/18/bridge-delivery-iasi-2024/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/caferamica?igsh=bHNncjRlaXZ3bHc1 

Workshop from Romanian Team

Art is a great way to express ideas, emotions and opinions especially complex ones so we hope this workshop will