The Arts, Refugees and Mental Health

In 2023 Counterpoints Arts was commissioned by The Baring Foundation to write the latest in a series of research reports about arts and mental health, this time looking at the provision for refugees and asylum seekers.

Creatively Minded and Refugees – Arts, refugees and mental health was launched during Refugee Week.

The report features case studies of 12 organisations running arts programmes for refugees and asylum seekers that have a focus on mental health, along with some key learning and suggestions for further research.

As the report states, the mental health of refugees is a critical public health issue. Research shows that refugees often experience high levels of stress, trauma, and mental health issues related to their displacement and resettlement experiences.

We are now undertaking a programme with support from Baring Foundation exploring the role of the arts in promoting mental health in a two-year programme of network development, commissions and shared learning that will intersect with all our work.

Follow updates on our work via the Mental Health & Wellbeing tag on the Counterpoints Arts blog.