How art heals hidden wounds  

In a world where stress seems woven into daily life, art is emerging as a silent but powerful healer. From the gentle stroke of a paintbrush to the rhythm of a drum, creative expression is helping people navigate mental health challenges in ways traditional methods sometimes cannot.  

Art therapy, a practice recognised by psychologists worldwide, harnesses the transformative power of creativity to release pent-up emotions, reduce anxiety, and foster self-awareness. Painting, for instance, allows individuals to externalise feelings that are difficult to articulate. The simple act of blending colours, creating shapes, and forming patterns can become a meditative exercise, offering a sense of calm and control amidst chaos. 

Music therapy has similarly profound effects. Listening, composing, or playing instruments engages the brain in emotional processing, providing a channel to express grief, joy, or frustration safely. Dance and movement therapies, meanwhile, combine physical activity with creative expression, helping participants reconnect with their bodies and emotions. The fluidity of motion mirrors the ebb and flow of human feeling, creating a unique pathway for release and renewal.  

Art therapy is not just for those in crisis. It benefits students struggling with academic pressure, working professionals facing burnout, and even the elderly coping with isolation. Beyond clinical settings, workshops, community programs, and online platforms are making art therapy accessible to a wider audience, allowing people from all walks of life to explore their creativity while nurturing their mental well-being.

Ms Pallavi Bhatia, PRT, Art & Craft, Apeejay School, Nerul shared, “The first visual language that came into existence was a form of Art created by early humans. This unique Art form, in simple symbols and pictographs, served the purpose of communication, to share concepts, express emotions, and strong beliefs. An infant, before starting to speak words, reacts and responds to colours. Art is not just about drawing and painting- it’s a language of the Heart, a mirror of the Self. Through the basic elements of Art, children can express their thoughts, overcome fear, release stress, and feel relaxed. It has the power to connect and communicate universally.”

Appreciating a work of art helps to develop confidence and stay emotionally strong, the educator shared. Art helps to develop empathy and the power to express what words cannot. “The power of artwork can connect you to feel the joy and laugh with the artist or cry along with the pain of sorrow. Huge, simple blocks of colour canvases of the famous Mark Rothko have been an example for the audience to feel emotions. Everything in this universe is a representation of seeking balance between opposing elements-horizontal and vertical, as was indeed evidenced through the paintings of Piet Mondrian,” Ms Bhatia said.

Today, when the child’s age is like a bud blooming into a flower, you must really introspect on this famous quote: Every child is an Artist, but the real challenge is to remain an artist once he grows up by Pablo Picasso. “This challenge is awaiting each child to reduce excess screen time, inviting distraction to replace reconnecting with self and nature through powerful Art language,” Ms Bhatia added. 

In an age dominated by screens, deadlines, and constant information, art reminds us of the human need to create, feel, and heal. It offers a space where judgment is absent, and expression is free, a sanctuary where mental health finds its own colourful, vibrant voice.