The BMRI is in a unique position as a leading clinical, research and treatment centre, bringing together patients, support groups and front-line carers with scientists and clinicians working in neurosciences and brain research.

The Nelson Meers Foundation is supporting the BMRI in expanding its current range of Group Programs to include an accessible, multidisciplinary, arts-based program for young people experiencing mental illness. The BMRI’s Group Programs currently focus on psychological interventions, cognitive remediation and physical exercise. These Programs facilitate social interaction, the development of social and interpersonal skills by combating isolation, creating meaningful participation and positive experiences and self esteem within a therapeutic environment. The young people attending for treatment at the BMRI and associated sites encompass a wide range of diagnostic groups, age and socio-demographic variables. The Group Programs have therefore been modified to suit the age, social context and treatment environment of the young people attending these services. Where possible, to increase access and resources, the Group Programs have been run with local community organizations, including schools and youth services, and have established partnerships with local businesses. With a skilled multidisciplinary team of clinicians and staff trained in behavioural management interventions, the BMRI’s Groups Program has achieved measurable outcomes in the areas of group retention and participant entrance into the workforce and education.

Surveys of young people attending the BMRI and key referrers identified the need for a creative and dynamic arts program to support and sustain recovery. This research was consistent with the BMRI’s commitment to promoting mental health recovery and social connectedness through creative arts.

In addition to creating opportunities for expression, achievement and development of creative skills, a key feature of the Creative Arts Program will be its clinical intervention framework, which differentiates this Program from other community arts projects. The Creative Arts Program will be incorporated into the clinical care of the young person and will target the key areas of brain development implicated in the transition to major mental illness in adolescence and young adulthood. The Program will offer learning opportunities in a supportive, non-institutional environment, which will enable the development of coping skills for marginalised groups of young people in a range of social, educational and vocational settings.

The Creative Arts Program will be accessible to all young people who attend the BMRI, or who are referred via BMRI partner organisations. By providing varied opportunities for therapeutic relationship building and access to clinical services, the Creative Arts Program will create greater service linkage and accessibility for marginalised groups of young people, facilitating referral to BMRI clinical programs and promoting client engagement with clinical care pathways.

The evaluation of the Creative Arts Program is of key importance in establishing the effectiveness of the interventions in a clinical setting, and the program will therefore be evaluated using a range of outcome measures at an individual, group and community level.

Credit:  Roxy Paine, "Neuron", courtesy James Cohan Gallery and the 17th Biennale of Sydney. Image courtesy Bill Hatcher.