Arts and Health Conference – Sails Resort

Loading Events

IMPORTANT: Registrations close on the November 1.

10th Art of Good Health and Wellbeing International Arts and Health Conference

12 – 15 November 2018
The recent Federal & State Governments mental health
funding boost has been welcomed as the 10th anniversary
of the “Arts and Health Conference” is being organised.

The Conference takes place at Sails Resort and the
Glasshouse from the November 12-15 and
registrations are available at: artsandhealth.org.au

Special guests will include the Hon Dame Marie Bashir,
PMQ Hastings Mayor, Peta Pinson, local State member,
Leslie Williams, and Australian singer and composer,
Archie Roach AM.

MORE:

Mental Health Funding Welcomed as Experts Head to Port Macquarie
International Arts and Health Conference convener, Port Macquarie’s Margret Meagher says this is a promising
time for conversations about mental health in Australia.

Margret Meagher was speaking prior to the 10th anniversary of “The Art of Good Health and Wellbeing”
conference from November 12-15. Mental Health and Resilience through the Arts is the conference theme.
Youth mental health, dementia, stroke recovery, creative ageing, veterans’ mental health, arts programs in
hospitals, healthcare and aged care, are just some of the important topics to be discussed as 85 experts, including
12 international guests, present at the conference.

This week the Federal Government pledged an extra $52 million to youth mental health service provider
headspace. Making the announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one in four young Australians had a
mental health issue, and praised headspace as more than a counselling service; “it’s dealing with the whole
person”.

The NSW Government also announced $90 million to support suicide prevention, saying about two people in the
state lost their life to suicide every day.
Meanwhile, in Britain, where GPs report seeing up to five people a day with symptoms associated with loneliness,
Prime Minister Theresa May announced funding to encourage GPs to prescribe social activities such as ballroom
dancing, music, art and cookery classes instead of pills.
“Arts programs for health and wellbeing for people of all ages are no longer just a ‘nice to have’,” Margret Meagher
said.

“There is now robust and extensive research which documents the transformative power of music, dance, theatre,
visual arts, narrative writing and more in the face of many of life’s challenges.
“And it’s incredibly cost effective in reducing reliance on medication and healthcare services, while enhancing
peoples’ resilience and abilities, as valued members of our society… How good is that!”
Speakers at this year’s conference include two art therapists working in youth early psychosis programs at
headspace, Jennifer Jamieson from Perth and Fiona Fitzpatrick from Western Sydney. Statistics show more than
75% of mental health issues develop before a person turns 25 and approximately 20% of Australians live with a
mental health condition such as depression and anxiety.

Art psychotherapist and advisor to the UK National Health Services (NHS) Hospitals Arts Strategy, Elaine Burke will
look at why and how the arts provide a uniquely powerful means to improve health and wellbeing, often
succeeding where other interventions fail to connect.
Mahlie Jewell, a stroke survivor, brain injury and mental health advocate, as well as a qualified counsellor and
graphic artist, will share her lived experience and describe how creating art has helped her and others deal with
difficult and traumatic physical and emotional experiences and connect with themselves and others.
Other key speakers include Dementia Australia national policy and strategy advisor Kirsty Carr; Alice Thwaite, 10th Art of Good Health and Wellbeing International Arts and Health Conference

Mental Health Funding Welcomed as Experts Head to Port Macquarie
International Arts and Health Conference convener, Port Macquarie’s Margret Meagher says this is a promising
time for conversations about mental health in Australia.

Margret Meagher was speaking prior to the 10th anniversary of “The Art of Good Health and Wellbeing”
conference from November 12-15. Mental Health and Resilience through the Arts is the conference theme.
Youth mental health, dementia, stroke recovery, creative ageing, veterans’ mental health, arts programs in
hospitals, healthcare and aged care, are just some of the important topics to be discussed as 85 experts, including
12 international guests, present at the conference.
This week the Federal Government pledged an extra $52 million to youth mental health service provider
headspace. Making the announcement, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one in four young Australians had a
mental health issue, and praised headspace as more than a counselling service; “it’s dealing with the whole
person”.

The NSW Government also announced $90 million to support suicide prevention, saying about two people in the
state lost their life to suicide every day.
Meanwhile, in Britain, where GPs report seeing up to five people a day with symptoms associated with loneliness,
Prime Minister Theresa May announced funding to encourage GPs to prescribe social activities such as ballroom
dancing, music, art and cookery classes instead of pills.
“Arts programs for health and wellbeing for people of all ages are no longer just a ‘nice to have’,” Margret Meagher
said.

“There is now robust and extensive research which documents the transformative power of music, dance, theatre,
visual arts, narrative writing and more in the face of many of life’s challenges.
“And it’s incredibly cost effective in reducing reliance on medication and healthcare services, while enhancing
peoples’ resilience and abilities, as valued members of our society… How good is that!”
Speakers at this year’s conference include two art therapists working in youth early psychosis programs at
headspace, Jennifer Jamieson from Perth and Fiona Fitzpatrick from Western Sydney. Statistics show more than
75% of mental health issues develop before a person turns 25 and approximately 20% of Australians live with a
mental health condition such as depression and anxiety.
Art psychotherapist and advisor to the UK National Health Services (NHS) Hospitals Arts Strategy, Elaine Burke will
look at why and how the arts provide a uniquely powerful means to improve health and wellbeing, often
succeeding where other interventions fail to connect.

Mahlie Jewell, a stroke survivor, brain injury and mental health advocate, as well as a qualified counsellor and
graphic artist, will share her lived experience and describe how creating art has helped her and others deal with
difficult and traumatic physical and emotional experiences and connect with themselves and others.
Other key speakers include Dementia Australia national policy and strategy advisor Kirsty Carr; Alice Thwaite,
director of the UK’s Equal Arts, Newcastle, a world leader in creative ageing programs, skills training and arts on
prescription models; Gary Glazner, arguably the world’s leading practitioner in the utilisation of poetry for people
living with dementia in community and aged care settings (including prisons); and Dominic Campbell, a leading
authority on creative ageing in the UK and USA.

To find out more, and to register for one day or the whole conference, go to:
www.artsandhealth.org.au
or
call 0416 641 482.

Title

Go to Top