The healing power of art on the mind

Artist uses talents to cope with mental issues and helps others do the same

KLANG: When London-based artist and writer Sanchita Islam (pic) was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2003, her art and writing helped manage her mental health condition.

“I also have a history of psychosis and postpartum psychosis but I manage my condition using art and other strategies and do not take medication,” said Islam, who conducts art therapy sessions at the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) here on a regular basis.

Born to Bangladeshi parents in Manchester, England, Islam said that art had a palliative impact on the brain.

Her latest work with the MMHA is a “scroll project”.

“All the patients work together on a 30-foot piece of paper. They are encouraged to express what they are experiencing internally.

“I then take the work to my studio and weave all the images together,” said Islam, 43.

The artwork, which is reflective of the patients’ mental health status, is akin to “looking at the mental landscape of the mind”, she said.

Islam, who has authored a book titled Schizophrenics Can Be Good Mothers Too, has two children aged three and six with her Swedish-Norwegian husband.

She has a BSc in International History, MSc in Comparative Politics and an MA in Directing and Screenwriting.

Islam said people with mental health issues usually have creative talents that could be harnessed and utilised to the fullest.

It was important to encourage them to work, to create, and to be active, she added.

MMHA deputy president Datuk Dr Andrew Mohanraj said mental illness was not an obstacle to creativity.

“Art can be useful to understand the emotions and cognitive process of those with mental illness like depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.

“Children too express themselves better through art,” he said.

Dr Mohanraj said art therapy also served as a therapeutic modality in trauma-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Many people take to art to relieve stress in their everyday lives,” he added.