Expressive Arts for Grieving Youth: A Pilot Project

The experience of loss due to death, illness, and social mitigation was inevitable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health services are chronically difficult access in Canada, this barrier is further exacerbated when trying certified art therapists deliver expressive arts therapy. This pilot project attempted provide an alternative service through interprofessional alliance with a professional artist counselors. A small group (n = 6) vulnerable youth who had suffered recent loved one were at risk for mental issues participated therapy program, over four-week period late Spring 2021. Expressive activities such as clay mask making express emotions grief, provided opportunities learn healthy ways coping grief loss. mixed-methods approach involving quantitative data collected battery well-validated instruments assess changes depressive symptomatology, emotional loneliness satisfaction life. These measures complemented qualitative focus end program. Measures conducted before after program found decreases loneliness, coupled expressing shared comforting, reduced feelings isolation, increased sense belonging. Preliminary evidence supports that programs may help stabilize mood, decrease isolation/loneliness, generate supportive community peers, providing safe space expression creative outlets.