Black Rainbow Comics

Art therapy can have a positive effect on adult psychiatric patients through self expression via singing and drawing.

Working in an acute care psychiatric ward within a predominantly medical based hospital can be very busy, unpredictable, and fast paced. Patients are being admitted with increasingly complex medical issues on top of their psychiatric illnesses which raises unit acuity and work load. Compounding this is a lack of funding due to a low prioritization of mental health services within Alberta Health Services (AHS). Ultimately, all theses factors play a role in negatively impacting patient access to therapeutic and socially productive activities within the hospital I work at.

Where I work, patients who are regulated to the ward often complain of being bored with nothing to do. And I feel for them. Because there really is not much for them to do. We are situated on the fourth floor of a medical hospital tucked into a small corner of the building locked behind a set of secure double doors. There are no secured outdoor grounds to wander as per Alberta Hospital. Due to policy, work flow, and ward culture/practice, it is unrealistic to take patients off hospital grounds for field trips such as movies. At most, our rec therapist takes the patients across the street off hospital grounds for a short session of coffee. Sure there is a flat screen television in the communal area playing Country Music Television (CMT) and a Foosball table that is rarely used. But besides the limited offering of groups such recreational therapy, occupational therapy, and RAP (Reality and Awareness Program) there really is not a whole lot to keep them occupied in stimulating ways.

However, I have noticed that artistic activities such as drawing/coloring of seasonal decorations and karaoke singing have been consistently engaging forms of activity for many patients from all walks of life regardless of psychiatric illness. Whenever Christmas, Easter, or Halloween rolls around, the communal area is buzzing with concentration and camaraderie as patients encourage, critique, and laugh over decorations they make to adorn the walls of their units and rooms. There is a genuine sense of positivity, effort, and concentration from the patients as they express themselves through markers, pens, pencils, collage, and writing. I have even seen floridly psychotic and irritable patients settle for a short lucid period in order to complete the coloring of a drawing before returning to their usual scattered and disorganized states.

Even more effective in engaging and improving morale amongst patients has been Karaoke nights on the ward. Never have I seen in my few years of psychiatric nursing experience such an immediate transforming effect that helps settle the ward and draw together patients and staff. There is something with song and melody that really soothes the soul for this population. It energizes the patients and provides a very positive outlet for them to express themselves. It is always such a pleasant surprise to see the most withdrawn and disordered individuals pick up the mic and attempt to sing. It is indeed a brave and noble effort although the singing may not always sound good. But as sick as someone may be, when a patient puts forth a genuine attempt, you can almost see a glimpse of the person behind the illness. And that is a truly beautiful thing.

Unfortunately, to my knowledge, mental health specific art therapy is not a huge priority within the Canadian health care system. At least not within the hospital I reside at. This is different for parts of the United States and Europe where art therapy is just as integral to treatment as medication administration. It really is too bad that my hospital does not emphasize a more holistic approach within Psychiatry despite being acute care. From what I have seen on the ward, art has done more for certain individuals than medication will ever do.