Funding secured for arts and mental health initiative

13 October 2021

Hywel Dda University Health Board has been awarded funding from a joint programme created by the Baring Foundation and Arts Council of Wales to support a new arts and mental health initiative.

The funding, from the Celf a’r meddwl | Arts and minds programme, will support Art Boost, which is an arts in mental health programme for children and young people living with eating disorders, self-harming behaviours, low mood and/or having suicidal feelings.

Angela Lodwick, Head Specialist, S-CAMHS, said: "The Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service is looking forward to working collaboratively with our art colleagues to enable children and young people to have the opportunity to engage with local artists in creative arts activities in addition to formal psychotherapies in order to increase the opportunity for creative expression .

“The art programmes identified will enable early intervention and prevention of emotional and mental health by identifying emotions through art expression, increasing resilience, problem solving through art activities and promote relaxation, stress reduction and self-soothing through art activities."

Hywel Dda was one of seven health boards to receive funding from the Celf a’r meddwl | Arts and minds programme.

Celf a’r meddwl | Arts and minds aims to support better mental health in Wales and is supported by the National Lottery.