In today’s world, mental health is an essential topic that needs to be addressed, especially among the youth. In a recent podcast, project managers Sheron Edey, Quinten Sheriff, and expert Phillipe Koffi shared invaluable insights on the intersection of mental health and the arts, emphasizing how teaching artists can play a crucial role in nurturing students’ emotional well-being.
Teaching artists are more than just instructors; they serve as facilitators of creativity, providing students with a safe space to express themselves. Koffi, a psychosocial worker and mediator, highlighted that awareness is a central theme in supporting mental health. He emphasized the importance of self-awareness and understanding one’s surroundings. “Awareness within itself is a mental health tool,” he shared, showcasing how being conscious of both personal and shared emotions can lead to meaningful interactions in the classroom.
Project Manager Sheron Edey and podcast guests Philippe Koffi and Kat Charles. Photo by Quinten Sheriff
The Therapeutic Benefits of Art
Koffi’s journey into using art as a therapeutic outlet began with his own experiences in rap and writing. He shared, “Rap was my therapy in some way… my best therapist was writing, rapping, being with my friends.” This underscores the significance of creative expression in processing emotions and overcoming challenges. By facilitating workshops and these podcast sessions, Koffi aims to instil these values in teaching artists, encouraging them to guide their students through similar creative processes.
Key topics covered in the CHSSN Youth Mental Health Initiative includes mental health training for teaching artists, including conflict resolution, trauma awareness, and boundary creation. Understanding these concepts is vital for fostering a supportive classroom environment. For example, exercises to help participants identify their emotions and needs, enabling them to create healthy boundaries based on self-awareness. This approach not only benefits the artists but also enhances the overall classroom dynamics.
Another critical aspect of the training focuses on empathy and emotional intelligence. To truly connect with students, teaching artists must first understand their own emotions and triggers. “You cannot be empathetic if you don’t acknowledge the reality of somebody else,” he explained. By fostering an empathetic environment, teaching artists can help students feel safe and supported, leading to more effective learning and artistic expression.
Sheron Edey, Quinten Sheriff, and Phillipe Koffi are joined by guest Jillian Ritchie
Creating a Supportive Space for Creativity
Koffi’s approach to training revolves around nurturing a creative and supportive presence within the classroom. When students feel safe, they are more likely to take creative risks. When doing creative projects and workshops, it is worth taking some time to establish trust among students and creating a space where they feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment.
The podcast discussion sheds light on the profound impact teaching artists can have on youth mental health. By promoting self-awareness, empathy, and emotional intelligence, these artists can create supportive environments that foster creativity and healing. The transformative power of art can serve as a vital tool in addressing mental health challenges and nurturing the emotional well-being of young individuals.
You can listen to this episode, and other episodes here: https://soundcloud.com/user-445522775/sets/the-creative-care-podcast
Let us know what you think!
Find our guests here:
Philippe Koffi, Psychosocial worker – Mediator – Consultant
Storme Moore and Pat Dillon Moore
Jillian Ritchie, Director of Wellness and Mental Health Advocate
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-ritchie-506b6335/
Kathleen Charles, Counsellor, Creative Arts Therapist, Somatic Practitioner
kathleencharlescounselling@gmail.com
@kathleencharlestherapist
If you are an emerging teaching artist under the age of 35 and interested in being listed in the ELAN ArtistInspire directory, please fill out the form we’ve attached, and we will let you know of the next steps: Emerging Artists participation request form
What is the ELAN ArtistsInspire directory and how can it benefit you as a teaching artist? Check it out and sign up for our newsletters to know when we are taking in new artist applications: https://artistsinspire.ca/artists/new-artists/
With thanks to:
Studio: The Community Development Arts Hub:
Technician: Tyler Rauman
https://www.instagram.com/tylerrauman/?hl=en
Theme music: The Hypnotyst
This project was made possible thanks to @ELANArtEd and the Community Health and Social Services Network #chssn #artistsinspiregrants #elanqc #elanarted #TeachLearnHelp