One Potential Way of Helping Students Build Self-confidence Is Through Art Therapy – Helena Amoah

In an effort to promote emotional well-being and personal growth among the youth, Get Out Of Depression (GOOD) team have organised a days art therapy session for students of Fedep International School in Cape Coast.

The programme was held on Monday, 5th June, 2023 at the school premises, with the objective of assisting the students in building confidence, expressing themselves, and fostering openness.

Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, the Executive Director of GOOD expressed her appreciation to Prof. Elizabeth Doone from University of South Florida and her students for supporting the programme. 

Madam Helena revealed that “Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that employs art as a medium for expression and communication. It is grounded in the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self-expression can aid individuals in resolving conflicts, developing interpersonal skills, managing behaviours, reducing stress, and enhancing self-esteem”, she added.

The art therapy session was conducted by dedicated members of the GOOD team, who focused on students ranging from basic four to Junior High School 2. 

By utilizing various art materials such as paints, crayons, pencils, coloured pencils, cardboard and markers, the facilitators encouraged the students to create art that served as a pathway for self-discovery and healing. They skillfully guided the students in interpreting the meaning behind their artwork, thereby helping them gain insights into their emotions and experiences.

Art therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating a wide range of conditions, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

The GOOD Executive Director adds further that “One of the notable advantages of art therapy lies in its accessibility. Unlike conventional talk therapy, which may be intimidating for some individuals, art therapy offers a non-threatening avenue for self-expression and problem-solving”.

Moreover, this flexible therapeutic approach can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, enabling them to convey emotions that are often difficult to articulate.

During an interview with a student from baisc 6, he revealed that his shyness and feelings of intimidation previously hindered his ability to interact and contribute among his classmates. However, after participating in the art therapy session, he discovered a newfound confidence in expressing himself, actively engaging in classroom discussions and enjoying playtime with his friends.

Joseph, a JHS 2 student mentioned that “I am not able to participate in class because I think I am not brilliant enough and scared of making mistakes but the art session has made me build my confidence level as well as made me open-minded.”

Additionally, the generously provided stationery supplies to all students ranging from Primary 4 to JHS 2. The stationery items distributed encompassed books, school bags, mathematical sets, pens, pencils, erasers and highlighters.

The art therapy session conducted with the students of Fedep International School exemplifies how this form of therapy can assist young people in developing their expressive skills and fostering self-assurance.

“Art therapy represents a promising field that holds great potential for helping numerous individuals, and further exploration of its benefits is warranted”, she ended.

BY DC KWAME KWAKYE

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