About The Creative Well-Being Initiative
Funded by The PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being’s “Focusing Action for Positive Change Grant Program”, The Creative Well-Being Initiative will create connections between the arts and mental health communities in order to identify ways in which we can collaborate to address mental well-being on PEI.
Well-Being for Creatives, Creatives for Well-Being
The initiative will enlist the help of the mental health community in promoting the mental well-being of arts workers who often struggle with the emotional strains of making creative work, difficult working conditions, and precarious employment.
It will also identify ways that artists can support the mental health community by developing the capacity to use art as a means of promoting mental well-being for the community at large.
This project will be broken down into the following three stages:
The first stage of the project (ENGAGE) will involve the project coordinator formally establishing connections with artists and arts organizations based on Prince Edward Island.
Once a network of participating individuals is solidified, the second step (EDUCATE) of the project will begin. This portion of the project (which will be led by the Canadian Mental Health Association – PEI Division) will ensure that all participating parties are operating from the same base of knowledge surrounding resilience and mental well-being. Additionally, during this portion of the project Mental Health First Aid training will be provided for key staff of arts organizations.
The last step (EXPLORE) will manifest in the form of a conference. Through round-table discussions, presentations, and brainstorming sessions, the conference participants (artists, arts administrators, mental health professionals) will contribute to a draft strategic plan for the arts and mental health communities to collaborate for the well-being of artists and all Islanders.
The project will run from May to December 2022 with the conference happening in the fall. The results will be new connections between the arts and mental health communities, increased understanding of the ways that arts and mental health interact, and a draft strategic plan for collaboration between the two communities to improve the mental wellness of artists and all Islanders.
For more information contact the Project Coordinator JoAnna Howlett at joanna@creativepei.ca.
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About The PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being
from https://allianceformentalwellbeing.com/about/
The PEI Alliance for Mental Well-Being was created by the PEI Government in 2021 in response to community-informed recommendations to strengthen the mental well-being for all Islanders throughout their lifespan. Drawing on the science of resilience, the Alliance champions three action areas that can improve mental well-being: supporting responsive relationships, strengthening core life skills and reducing sources of toxic stress.
It is recognized that investing in strengthening well-being can reduce acute issues for all, including mental health and addiction issues. The Alliance brings people together in a collaborative way, to achieve positive social change for all Islanders.
It provides leadership, coordination and communications related to mental well-being by collaborating, convening, disseminating knowledge and assisting with policies and programs with stakeholders and Island community members.
The Alliance has a funding mechanism that supports projects and initiatives that focus on building and strengthening the resilience of individuals, families and communities. The multi-million dollar “Improving Mental Well-Being for All: Focusing Action for Positive Change” Grant Program is a catalyst for enhancing existing initiatives and creating innovative solutions. The Program offers 4 types of grants: Enhanced Support Grants, Innovation Grants, Creating Connections Grants, and Targeted Investment Grants.
I am interested in this initiative. I am a visual artist struggling with my own diagnosed mental health conditions in the creation of my work and making it a viable career and income for myself. I also understand the benefits of being creative in relation to mental health conditions and have taught others to be creative for their mental health.
Hello Susan. Thank you for your interest in the project.
Our project coordinator JoAnna Howlett can be contacted at joanna@creativepei.ca if you are interested in reaching out for more information or to share your thoughts.