A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa
Mental health stigma is one of the main reasons why individuals do not seek mental health treatment, and it can lead to discrimination and alienation. Group art therapy is a successful and economical intervention option to address mental health stigma, specifically in rural areas like Phuthaditjha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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UJ Press
2023-07-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Arts Therapies |
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| Online Access: | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/sajat/article/view/2489 |
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| author | Kara Schoeman |
| author_facet | Kara Schoeman |
| author_sort | Kara Schoeman |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Mental health stigma is one of the main reasons why individuals do not seek mental health treatment, and it can lead to discrimination and alienation. Group art therapy is a successful and economical intervention option to address mental health stigma, specifically in rural areas like Phuthaditjhaba in South Africa. This article refers to a research study where a short-duration art therapy intervention was implemented with female students in Phuthaditjhaba, a densely populated and isolated rural area in South Africa. Using a reflective action research cycle the study found that a group art therapy intervention informs the group members of mental health stigma, its repercussions, how to prevent it, and how to heal from experienced stigma. Traditional healing objects and traditions were included in the intervention, making it an inclusive and less-threatening option for different cultures. A group art therapy intervention model is presented to serve as a possible process guide for art therapists who would like to address mental health stigma in group therapy. The participants have experienced mental health stigma in Phuthaditjhaba. Their visual stories of change capture the internal changes that took place for them as a result of the intervention. They are now more aware of what stigma is, it’s repercussions, how to prevent it and how to heal from experienced stigma. Group art therapy is a suitable therapeutic paradigm for addressing mental health stigma in rural areas of South Africa.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2c55d92530542db8b94fe4ecf41a19e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2960-1614 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | UJ Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Arts Therapies |
| spelling | doaj-art-b2c55d92530542db8b94fe4ecf41a19e2025-08-20T02:18:42ZengUJ PressSouth African Journal of Arts Therapies2960-16142023-07-011110.36615/sajat.v1i1.2489A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South AfricaKara Schoeman0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7387-3158University of Johannesburg Mental health stigma is one of the main reasons why individuals do not seek mental health treatment, and it can lead to discrimination and alienation. Group art therapy is a successful and economical intervention option to address mental health stigma, specifically in rural areas like Phuthaditjhaba in South Africa. This article refers to a research study where a short-duration art therapy intervention was implemented with female students in Phuthaditjhaba, a densely populated and isolated rural area in South Africa. Using a reflective action research cycle the study found that a group art therapy intervention informs the group members of mental health stigma, its repercussions, how to prevent it, and how to heal from experienced stigma. Traditional healing objects and traditions were included in the intervention, making it an inclusive and less-threatening option for different cultures. A group art therapy intervention model is presented to serve as a possible process guide for art therapists who would like to address mental health stigma in group therapy. The participants have experienced mental health stigma in Phuthaditjhaba. Their visual stories of change capture the internal changes that took place for them as a result of the intervention. They are now more aware of what stigma is, it’s repercussions, how to prevent it and how to heal from experienced stigma. Group art therapy is a suitable therapeutic paradigm for addressing mental health stigma in rural areas of South Africa. https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/sajat/article/view/2489art therapy interventiongroup art therapymental health stigmaart therapyrural community |
| spellingShingle | Kara Schoeman A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa South African Journal of Arts Therapies art therapy intervention group art therapy mental health stigma art therapy rural community |
| title | A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa |
| title_full | A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa |
| title_short | A group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in South Africa |
| title_sort | group art therapy intervention model to address mental health stigma in a rural community in south africa |
| topic | art therapy intervention group art therapy mental health stigma art therapy rural community |
| url | https://journals.uj.ac.za/index.php/sajat/article/view/2489 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT karaschoeman agrouparttherapyinterventionmodeltoaddressmentalhealthstigmainaruralcommunityinsouthafrica AT karaschoeman grouparttherapyinterventionmodeltoaddressmentalhealthstigmainaruralcommunityinsouthafrica |