Mental healthcare issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety continue to rise globally after the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic which has contributed to the current mental health permacrisis. This trend also coincides with an increased need for healthcare services in other areas of health demands, creating a strain on already overextended primary, secondary and community healthcare services. To alleviate the burden on healthcare systems and to provide more efficient care services, alternative and preventive approaches are needed.

The Arts on Prescription (AoP) concept offers such an alternative. The AoP concept is that people with or at risk of developing mental health conditions receive a prescription not for medicine or therapy, but for regular arts activities offered by community-based services like museums, adult education centres, or cultural institutions. This concept has shown positive effects on mental well-being (WHO 2019, external link) and is used in countries such as Canada, Australia, USA, Greece and the UK.

Although there is growing interest in the field of AoP, there remains a lack of knowledge on how to set up, organise and integrate the concept into existing healthcare systems. Alongside targeted guidance and training for health care practitioners, arts professionals, and public authorities is needed. Also, how to finance AoP programmes in the short and long-term, is an ongoing discussion which requires a greater and new collaborations between the culture and health sectors

To address these challenges, the Interreg BSR project “Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region” developed:

• a generic programme concept that is based on evidence and experience, adaptable to various local conditions and public health systems.
• an information package including a flyer, brochure and animation video to inform stakeholders about the AoP concept.
• an upcoming Arts on Prescription Guide with how-to-guides in organising, facilitating, evaluating and financing AoP programmes, lessons learned from pilot programmes in DK, DE, PL, LV and SE, and audiovisual guidance for project managers and link workers , culture and arts facilitators, and decision-makers.
• an evaluation framework which includes a cost benefit analysis of AoP programmes.

Stay tuned for our rent-an-expert programme and One-on-One Twinning activities, where project partners offer advice and support for municipalities and regions in the Baltic Sea Region to implement their own AoP programme.

Join the Arts on Prescription community and support our #MadeWithInterreg project to improve the mental well-being of citizens!