Developing a deeper understanding of the experiences and potential of creative activities with children and young people experiencing mental health problems

There is a growing body of research that creative provision can have positive impacts on young people’s mental health and wellbeing (All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing, 2017; Zarobe & Bungay, 2017; Bungay, 2018; Fancourt & Finn, 2019; Lo, 2021; Bhui et al. 2022; Chmiel et al. 2022; Smriti et al. 2022; Regev, 2023). Creative activities are one example of non-medical approaches which may be viewed as a form of social prescribing. Social prescribing approaches have been expanding, and are intended to provide community-based opportunities for people to engage in activities that improve their health and wellbeing (Buck & Ewbank, 2020; NHS England, 2020).