£2.5 million granted to arts therapies research study
Announcement
InSight – Spring 2024
In one of the largest ever research grants of its kind in the arts and arts therapies, a new study has been awarded £2.5 million by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). Dr Zoe Moula tells us more about the project and why it’s important for addressing the youth mental health crisis.
Youth mental health crisis
The number of children in mental health crisis is at a record high in England, says the Guardian, as NHS data reveals more than 3,500 urgent referrals in May, three times higher than the same month in 2019.
Professor Nusrat Husain, Co-Investigator and Director of Research and Innovation at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We know that 50% of mental disorders begin before the age of 14 years old and unfortunately many children and young people do not have access to appropriate mental healthcare.”
Professor Vicky Karkou, Principal Investigator and Director of the Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing at Edge Hill University added: “One in five children and young people are struggling with their mental health. Thinking and talking about problems is not always how children choose to communicate.”
Creative interventions are an effective alternative but may not be easily accessible in mental health services. We want to ensure children and young people will be able to access the mental health support they need regardless of where they live.
Professor Karkou, Principal Investigator and Director of the Research Centre for Arts and Wellbeing at Edge Hill University
What is the project?
The ‘Arts4Us’ study, led by Professor Vicky Karkou from Edge Hill University, will unite the best practice in arts and arts therapies in one digital platform, making it easier for young people and their families to access to arts therapies for mental health support.
NHS services will be able to use the digital platform to signpost patients to support, building collaborations across community partners and healthcare, particularly in the North West. The project will bring together more than 50 partners from academic institutions, NHS trusts, schools, community organisations and integrated care systems.
Working with young people to develop skills
The new Arts4Us platform will focus on 9-13-year-olds, encouraging them to develop skills around how to access and maximise the benefits of arts and arts therapies practices that support their mental health. They will help co-design all aspects of the project, ensuring the content and support is user-friendly and relevant to them.
Opening new job opportunities
The project will create 11 new jobs, boosting employability and skills in the region. Applications from arts therapists for these posts are strongly encouraged! The roles include:
Find out more
To find out more, you can visit the website.