Dr Audrey Tang, psychologist, author and founder of the CLICK Arts Foundation explains how the cuts in arts are impacting our mental health
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The social media sphere loves quoting German stand-up comedian Henning Wehn who, it seems, once said “We don’t do charity in Germany. We pay taxes. Charity is a failure of governments’ responsibilities."

Never a truer word is spoken in jest as they say.

And sadly, it does seem as if charity has become the ‘safety net’ for the failure of the system.
The Guardian recently wrote about how charities are “nearing insolvency” because they are having to subsidise underfunded government contracts such as shelters for the homes, rehabilitation support, and even clinical projects such as addiction interventions (The Guardian, 2023 ); and in a Blog for The Law Commission, Hina Bokhari reflected on how charities should not be there to plug the gaps left by society, but rather “Charities should be informing the government of the day about what is happening on the ground in communities and proposing the solutions required.” It is NOT about charities trying to pick up where the government left off, raising and using public funds to do so.

“Ay there’s the rub” said Hamlet – and this is the problem when it comes to arts funding cuts and the impact on mental health.

According to Pro Bono Economics, Charities currently “…provide mental health support at scale. In total, there are 3,400 charities in the UK working to support the nation’s mental health, from raising awareness through impactful campaigns and advocacy efforts, to challenging stigma and promoting open dialogue about mental health.” It goes on to offer statistics that in 2022/23 the Charity Mind provided mental health information and advice which was accessed on line 23.3million times, and staff working for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) “…answered over 155,000 calls and web chats and spent more than 1mn minutes on their helpline in 2021/22.” (Pro Bono Economics, 2023 ) All this against a background of “Overwhelmed mental health services” which are at breaking point (Medscape, 2023 )

The special thing about the arts though, is that the benefits of participation are preventative when it comes to poor mental health. Get involved in the arts and you unlock a whole host of wellbeing benefits. Stop participation, and the benefits fade.

So, the problem with the last 14 years of spending cuts is not just fewer opportunities for clinical collaborations such as social prescribing, but a vicious cycle of fewer opportunities, reduced participation, and a greater likelihood of mental ill health.

The benefits of the arts on wellbeing

A longitudinal study by UCL recently published has shown that “The arts can be a pillar of population health” with the impact ranging from improved psychological, emotional and behavioural wellness in children (with fewer problems with anti-social engagement); a higher life satisfaction in adults and lowered mental health issues such as depression and anxiety; and in seniors – improved cognitive function with lower incidences of dementia, frailty or negative biological markers of mental or physical health.

To single out but a few findings - dancing releases neurotransmitters such as endorphins, endocannabinoids, and dopamine; singing raises the production of oxytocin (a happy hormone) and in turn lowers the presence and production of cortisol (the stress hormone); creative writing is a great way to release stress; and reading or painting for enjoyment boosted self-esteem in children – with results even more pronounced when participating with parents. Researchers surmised that building creative skills through engagement with the arts can boost imagination which in turn improves problem solving behaviours and reduces the need for internalising behaviours such as becoming depressed or “unforthcoming.” However, researchers impressed that such positive outcomes are a “perishable commodity” – they last as long as engagement with the arts does.

Three ways in which the government can improve their support for the arts:

Improve collaboration between charities, community groups and clinical need
If doctors are “social prescribing” ensure that lines of communication on what is needed for clinical approval (eg safeguarding or other requirements) are clear, and charities and community groups are treated as a partner. Recognise that logistics in accessing the services are as important as the service provision itself. So awareness of bus routes, and disabled access or other accessibility facilities must also be made clear. Research by “Greening Dementia” found that although the presumption was that those with dementia were not using outdoor spaces because they “didn’t want to” – on speaking to service users, they found it was because they didn’t know which spaces would be “wheelchair accessible” or “have space to park”.

Encourage support of local arts
While it may not always be possible to take a school trip to London, or other large cities for the museums and theatre, encouraging a link between local theatres, music venues and galleries and schools, will generate something for all. Local venues will be better utilised, and the cost of having a local group perform for the whole school will often be more reasonable than taking a small group into the city to watch a show.

Further, Partners for Liveable Communities finds that creation of public art eg “professional designed murals three stories high” can create pride and ownership and revitalise a mindset, potentially reversing the “Broken Windows Theory” (Wilson & Kelling ) of neglect of a space causing crime and poor mental health.

Recognise the benefits of the arts extend beyond become a professional in the field
Notwithstanding, the most recent report by the Office for National Statistics commissioned by The Arts Council found that “The arts and culture industry…now contributes £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy…[and] the sector contributes…363,700 jobs.” The arts contribute much more beyond their own field. This needs to be recognised and highlighted. In psychology alone role play is used in coaching, storytelling is used in trauma support, and perspective taking (acting/thought tracking) in managing emotions; in rehabilitation role play is key, and creative writing in particular is commonly used in working through adverse experiences – as is music, such as drumming, when words can’t be found.

The University of Bedford is currently working on a “Creative Health MA” – where the focus is not just training performers, but on giving them the clinical understanding and training to be able to use their skills outside of the stage.

The arts are more than just spectacle, they are advocacy, community, and wellbeing in themselves. So switch the vicious cycle to a virtuous one: Support the arts – increase participation – and achieve preventative as well as responsive/intervention benefits when it comes to improving mental health.

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