The Healing Power of Creativity: How Art Supports Adult Mental Health

Every September, we observe Suicide Prevention Month—a time to raise awareness, break stigmas, and highlight the many paths to mental wellness. Among those paths, creativity has quietly emerged as one of the most powerful and accessible tools for improving mental health, especially in adults.

You all know this is my soap-box. CREATIVITY IS EMOTIONAL MEDICINE!! Yes, I am yelling!

Andrea Kowch is my absolute favorite modern artist. You can find one her originals at Norton Art Gallery. When I stare into the imagery, the world falling apart, her consistent representation of people “breaking free” or simply living in their own world in spite of their specific circumstances always reminds me that we are all simply doing our best! The demands of life can be tough and we (humans) were created to BE CREATIVE. So, let’s get to work! Our lives may literally depend on it.

In a recent 2023 survey by the American Psychiatric Association, 46% of adults reported turning to creative activities like crafting, playing music, or solving puzzles as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. What’s more, people who regularly engaged in creative outlets were significantly more likely to rate their mental health as “very good or excellent.” Simply put, creativity isn’t just play—it’s powerful self-care.

Other research backs this up. A large-scale study published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that engaging in arts-based activities (like painting, dancing, or writing) was linked to long-term improvements in mental health and reductions in depression.

But WHY does this work?

Creative expression offers a safe space to release emotions, process life events, and rediscover a sense of control. For adults navigating stress, grief, burnout, or disconnection, creativity becomes a form of emotional regulation—a way to quiet the noise in our minds and reconnect with joy, presence, or simply ourselves.

According to a joint 2023 report from the Adobe Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):

• 63% of participants said creative activities made them feel more confident

• 61% felt their anxiety or stress reduced

• 57% saw improvements in their overall well-being

These effects were even more pronounced among individuals in marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ adults, who often face added mental health challenges. For them, creativity didn’t just offer relief—it fostered belonging, identity, and hope.

The Science Behind It

Creativity isn’t just a feel-good outlet. It engages multiple parts of the brain, including those responsible for emotion, memory, and reward. Neuroimaging studies have shown that engaging in art or music can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), improve mood, and even help rewire negative thinking patterns.

A 2023 review in Frontiers in Psychiatry emphasized that creative expression—in any form—is tied to increased resilience, reduced self-criticism, and greater emotional clarity. Even brief creative activities, done consistently, can have long-lasting effects on mood and mindset.

Another meta-analysis concluded that there is a strong, positive relationship between creativity and overall well-being, even when accounting for personality differences, trauma history, or lifestyle factors.

A Word on the Creative Mind

It’s true that history links creativity with struggle—many well-known artists have faced mental health challenges. But this doesn’t mean that creativity causes suffering, or that you must suffer to create. In fact, using creativity as a tool, not just a trait, is what makes it so healing.

When we view creative engagement as a practice—something done with intention—it becomes protective. It grounds us. It connects us. And it opens up space for expression that we may not be able to voice in any other way.

How to Start Using Creativity for Your Mental Health

You don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creativity. What matters most is consistency, not talent. Try:

• Journaling your feelings or writing short stories

• Coloring or painting, even with simple supplies

• Making music or curating playlists based on mood

• Cooking, gardening, or crafting as tactile forms of self-expression

• Joining a local art class or creative group to foster connection

And remember: creativity doesn’t have to look a certain way. If it helps you feel seen, soothed, or sparked, it’s worth doing.

Creativity and Suicide Prevention

During Suicide Prevention Month, it’s important to shine light on the protective factors that keep people safe, grounded, and hopeful—and creativity is one of them.

By offering:

• a sense of meaning

• a way to process pain

• and a path toward connection with others

…creative expression can help shift the emotional weight that often leads to despair.

In moments of overwhelm, even small creative actions—like drawing, singing, or writing—can create just enough space to breathe, reflect, and stay present. That space can make all the difference.

If You’re Struggling, Please Reach Out

Creativity is powerful, but it is not a substitute for professional help.

If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless, overwhelmed, or thinking about suicide, please know this:

You are not alone. You are deeply valued. Help is available.

Here are resources available 24/7:

• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (USA)

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

• International Help: Visit https://findahelpline.com

My personal, final thoughts. Creativity is not just for artists. It’s for anyone seeking light in the dark, peace in the noise, or meaning in the mess of life.

During Suicide Prevention Month, and every month, may we remember the healing power of imagination, expression, and connection. Whether you’re painting, writing, building, or simply creating moments of beauty—know that you’re taking part in something profound.

You’re not just making art.

You’re making space for hope.

I sincerely LOVE YOU ALL and I hope and pray constantly that you all find not only fun, but PEACE within the walls of The ClayGround.

Tessa