Why the Arts Matter More Than Ever: A Mental Health Perspective

In times of social and political uncertainty, art and creativity are often among the first things to face scrutiny, be defunded, or be dismissed as “nonessential.” When systems feel strained,

creativity is framed as expendable - a luxury rather than an essential part of life and the human experience. From a mental health perspective, this could not be further from the truth.

We are living in an era marked by polarization, collective stress, and rapid change. Many people feel overwhelmed, outraged, disconnected, and emotionally fatigued. In these moments, the arts do not simply add beauty to our lives; they serve a vital psychological function. They help us express and regulate emotion, process traumatic experiences, build emotional resilience, and improve cognitive functioning. The arts enhance and fuel our ability to remain connected to our humanity when the world feels increasingly fragmented, often fostering empathy and bridging divides between people.

Emotional Regulation and Expression

Mental health is not only about cognition and insight, but it is also deeply connected to the nervous system and the body, affecting how we think, feel, and behave. Creative expression, whether through movement, music, visual art, writing, or performance, offers a direct pathway to emotional regulation.

For many people, art provides a way to express what cannot yet be spoken. Before we have words for grief, fear, or rage, we often have rhythm, imagery, or gesture. Creative engagement helps discharge stress, integrate complex experiences, and reduce emotional overwhelm. Research consistently shows that expressive arts can lower anxiety, improve mood, and support trauma recovery by allowing emotions to move rather than remain stuck. When access to the arts is reduced, especially in schools and community spaces, we lose more than creative outlets. We lose tools for self-soothing, meaning-making, and emotional and cultural literacy. We ask individuals to cope with increasingly complex internal and external worlds while removing some of the most effective nonverbal supports available to them.

Creatives as Cultural and Emotional Witnesses

Artists have long functioned as observers and translators of the human experience. And Art consistently comments on and reflects contemporary society, capturing our emotions, current issues, cultural shifts, and societal changes. Through Art, we are able to communicate our perspectives, values, and struggles across time and cultures. Artists name patterns, contradictions, and reflect emotional truths in ways that words often can’t. This role becomes especially important during periods of social tension or political upheaval. From a psychological standpoint, this witnessing matters. Art helps communities metabolize collective stress. It validates lived experience, counters isolation, and creates shared narratives that remind us we are not alone in what we feel.

When creative voices are discouraged or erased, emotional realities go unacknowledged, which can often manifest as anxiety, depression, isolation, or disengagement. When society loses its ability to challenge the status quo and imagine new possibilities, it stifles innovation, reduces cultural diversity, and limits our collective ability to understand complex human experiences.

Creativity also fosters cognitive flexibility, empathy, and tolerance for ambiguity, which are all

protective factors for mental health. In a culture that increasingly rewards certainty and speed, the arts invite reflection, nuance, and emotional depth.

What Happens When the Arts Are Removed

The erosion of arts funding in education has serious mental health implications. For many children and adolescents, creative spaces are where confidence is built, identity is explored, and emotional safety is found. Not every individual thrives in traditional academic environments. The arts often provide a sense of belonging for those who feel marginalized or misunderstood.

When these programs disappear, young people lose crucial avenues for self-exploration and expression. Suppressed creativity does not disappear; it often resurfaces as distress, behavioral challenges, or withdrawal. Over time, a lack of expressive outlets can contribute to burnout, disconnection, and a diminished sense of vitality and purpose.

Art as Care, Not Escape

Engaging with art during difficult times is sometimes misunderstood as avoidance. From a therapeutic lens, the opposite is often true. Creative engagement can be a form of emotional care - a way to stay present with experience rather than numb it.

For creatives, continuing to make work in discouraging climates is an act of resistance and resilience. It affirms that inner life matters. For non-artists, engaging with art can provide grounding, inspiration, and emotional relief. In both cases, creativity supports mental health by helping individuals remain connected to themselves and to others.

Moving Forward

By supporting the arts and staying active in creating our art, we are protecting our well-being. As mental health professionals, educators, and community members, we can help reframe creativity as essential to healing, resilience, and connection. In these uncertain times, my hope is that by doing and creating, we are reminded who we are and who we can still become.

Resources

If you’d like to incorporate creativity into your mental health care, the following resources may

be helpful:

The Arts & Mental Health – Welcome Collection (Podcast Episode)

This video offers a thoughtful look at how creativity functions as both emotional expression and psychological support, especially during challenging times.

▶️ Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IGPRhiwGC8

Other resources:

● Local Creative or Community Arts Programs

Community classes, movement, writing, or art groups can provide low-pressure ways to reconnect with creativity and connection.

● Psychology Today – Expressive Arts Therapy

Articles on how creative expression supports emotional health and trauma recovery.

https://www.psychologytoday.com

● The American Art Therapy Association (AATA)

Information on art therapy and how creativity supports mental health.

https://arttherapy.org