It’s been a year in November since we got together for our arts and mental health forum in Vancouver. We met new people, connected with long-time allies and came up with great ideas. Life has changed radically since then for us all as we struggle to keep connected and afloat during the pandemic.
One of the ideas that came out of the day was a podcast. And it’s happening! A group of dedicated volunteers in the mental health arena has just launched a podcast about arts and mental health called Art Heals.
As host Elaine Joe says, “I think Art Heals is most relevant during the pandemic because people are more isolated than ever before. The problem with isolation is it creates loneliness, and loneliness creates depression. That can lead people to not reach out, and hurt themselves, or to wait too long to reach out, and hurt others.”
The first episode features Sarah Jickling, a Vancouver-based musician and mental health advocate who isn’t afraid to sing about her bipolar recovery or experiences with intergenerational trauma. She talks about her newest record, The Family Curse, released almost exactly a year ago, which was instrumental to her healing. In the second episode, you’ll meet Alaric Posey, a local composer and music teacher. He’s also the assistant conductor and manager of the Highs & Lows — a low-barrier choir that promotes wellness for people with mental health challenges.
“Art Heals provides inspirational stories from people who society sometimes categorizes as not being able to contribute much,” Joe says. “The first two episodes demonstrate just how much people with diverse life experiences have to offer. This podcast also helps caregivers understand mental health challenges better. So it’s a very supportive and accessible way to learn about mental health through the creative arts.”
Listen to Art Heals on your favourite podcast streaming platform or catch it on our podcast server at https://arthealspodcast.podbean.com/
The Art Heals team:
- Earle Peach, Producer
- Elaine Joe, Host & Interviewer
- Serena Renner, Writing & Direction
- Laurence Richard, Design & Distribution
For inquiries, please contact:
Elaine Joe, Host, Art Heals Podcast
On March 10, 2021 Elaine did an interview on Art Heals with the Douglas College newspaper The Other Press