How Art can be a Healing Tool for Today’s Youths

by MOVIDA KATRIZIA

13 July 2020

Mental Health is a clear concerning issue among Singapore’s youth, and this article introduces a new way to cope with their mental health, using art in meditation

Photograph (Singapore Idols – Army Boys), used in session on June 24, taken by Jing Quek from collection of Singapore Art Museum

Singapore Art Museum (SAM) recently ended their virtual programme called Unwind with SAM: Art and Meditation that taught participants on using art to exercise mental health.

Problems in mental health start at a young age. According to The Mental Health Taskforce, 3 in 4 of all mental health problems are diagnosed by the age of 24. It also found that 1 in 10 children aged 10 to 16 have a diagnosable condition.

In Singapore, the issue of rising mental health problems in youths continues to worsen over the years. According to Samaritans of Singapore, suicide is the leading cause of death for those aged 10 to 29. In 2018, 94 youths had chosen to take their own lives. In the same year, 19 males aged between 10 to 19 committed suicide, which is a record high and a 170% increase from 2017’s rate.

With these concerning statistics, Singapore continues to put efforts into educating Singapore youths on mental health. For instance, the Ministry of Education (MOE) refreshed the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) 2021 curriculum to include mental health education. Apart from nationwide initiatives, art itself can be used as a meditation tool. With art’s growing popularity among youths, it can be utilized as a beneficial way for them to exercise their mental health.

Dr Russell Chan, Director at Prime Your Mind Now and one of the two instructors who guided the Unwind with SAM sessions highlighted that both art and meditation is that both require contemplation of the mind. The relationship between both terms allows individuals to both visualize and make personal meaning of the artworks featured in the session. He also emphasized on the importance of younger generation including mental health exercises into their regular routine and how they could benefit from it.

“If the younger generation knows [about] this skill, it is almost like riding a bike,” Dr Chan said. [They will know] that they have a friend they can always depend on.”

The weekly sessions from Unwind with SAM: Art and Meditation project were held through a Facebook live. The instructor guided participants through a meditation session of Yoga Nidra while bringing their attention to the different elements of the session’s featured artwork. The project aimed to educate participants about mental awareness through creative visualization and contemplation. Its final session was on 8 July.

Dr Chan also gave a valuable piece of advice towards youths and people who want to find the suitable mental exercise technique.

“You take it as a journey,” Dr Chan added, “[there is] nothing wrong to explore different styles but eventually, you will always go back to one particular style, and that comes with time.”