Theo Stickley

The state of arts and health in England

This paper provides an overview of the current state of the arts and health field in England, through an examination of practice, research and policy developments. Five features of arts and health practice are identified: the scale of the sector, regional variations, mapping of arts and health initiatives, recent conferences and symposia, and the role of key agencies supporting arts and health initiatives. Eight areas of arts and health research activity are considered: retrospective qualitative evaluations, prospective evaluations with some quantitative assessments, experimental research on arts and health initiatives, economic evaluations of arts interventions, systematic reviews of arts and health research, theory development to underpin research efforts, and the establishment of dedicated arts and health research centres and research programmes. The final section considers three 2007 arts and health publications from the Department of Health and Arts Council England. There has been disappointment that the policy recommendations in these documents have not been acted upon. At the time of writing, however, there are some signs of renewed efforts to encourage national leadership from the Department of Health.

No hope without compassion: the importance of compassion in recovery-focused mental health services

Background Whilst current policy is replete with recovery language and references to the need for services to create a sense of hope and optimism, there is less understanding about how such hope may be engendered within services. We propose that an understanding of compassion is necessary to appreciate what actually stimulates hope-inspiring practices. Aims An examination of the continuing relevance of compassion to mental health care and an exploration of its place within modern mental health policy and practice. Methods A review of the compassion deficit in mental health care and a critical examination of whether the direction of current mental health policy in the UK is likely to facilitate compassionate care. Results Compassion needs to be viewed not merely as an individual expression or property but something which must be nurtured in context, through relationships, cultures and healing environments. However, current mental health policy and practice does not appear to prioritise the development of such contexts. Conclusion Attention to fostering compassion would help to shift the language of “recovery” (or “well-being”) beyond the twin dangers of rhetoric and/or imposing preconceived definitions, models or expectations of what recovery “should” be. Therefore, the development of compassionate contexts should have a stronger place in modern mental health practice and policy.

The Thorn Course: rhetoric and reality.

The Thorn Course that provides psychosocial interventions and family work training for UK mental health professionals was founded in 1992. Since this time policy, service provision and needs have changed. The aim of this study was to examine the Thorn Course through relevant literature, in order to establish whether research and policy have been integrated into practice within training and services. A search of professional journal databases was conducted. Keywords used were ‘Thorn Course’ and ‘psychosocial intervention training’. The resulting body of literature was reviewed. Five main themes emerged which were examined: needs identified, delivering the Thorn Course, training outcomes, implementing interventions and user and carer involvement. There is a distinct lack of research studies evaluating any aspect of the Thorn Course. There is little evidence that user and carer involvement has moved beyond rhetoric and community mental health nurses continue to lack opportunities and support to implement psychosocial skills acquired in training.

With Art in Mind

Based in a deprived inner city area in Nottingham, Art in Mind aims to improve individual health and well‐being and to raise mental health awareness by encouraging self‐expression through the arts and participation in community activities. Theo Stickley, Willow Merryweather and Paul Leighton describe the power of the arts to change minds and lives.