NOVEMBER is Arts in Health Month and recognises the importance of self-expression as a means of addressing mental health and emotional issues to work towards a more hopeful future.

Kitsiri DeSilva and Paul Davis are art therapists working at Head to Health, a walk-in community mental health centre providing free counselling and therapy to adults in Midland.

They use art therapy with clients in groups or individually to help them process issues, express emotions, discover strengths and explore how to resolves issues.

“Clay, painting, drawing, collage, mask, movement or drama can all be used to assist clients to feel safe accessing vulnerable parts of themselves,” Mr DeSilva said.

“It’s not about perfecting a technique, but a process of exploration and experimentation.

“Expression through art can be energising and uplifting, it can help release frustration and anxiety, and break the cycle of repetitive thinking.”

He said no art experience or knowledge are necessary because art therapy is a space to be spontaneous and let out what’s inside when words might be hard to find.

“Exercising the imagination and creativity helps people get out of their head and into their heart and body,” Mr DeSilva said.

“Expression through art can help people look at themselves and their situation in different, helpful and healthy ways.”

The definition of health is often focussed only on your physical self, but emotions and mental health also have a huge impact on wellbeing.

As the World Health Organisation defines it, “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, not just the absence of disease or infirmity”.

Midland Head to Health is located at 23 Old Great Northern Highway and is an initiative of the federal government, commissioned under the Primary Health Network Program and operated by St John of God Health Care.

All services are provided for free and no appointment, referral or Medicare card are needed.

To find out more go to the Head to Health website.