Self-healing is vital to living a healthy life, and it may be time to focus on a different approach that could be beneficial to those struggling to heal from traumatic events and mental illnesses. Therapy, meditation and other forms of treatment can be great ways to self-heal, but creative writing and other artistic outlets can also improve the self-healing process, especially if other options are not accessible or are not working.

Because of the policies of today’s White House administration and their proposed Affordable Health Care Act, health care coverage for therapy and mental health resources are at risk. According to The Atlantic, “The AHCA’s provisions to sunset the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion and discontinue enhanced funding for able-bodied low-income adults would remove critical mental-health funding for those enrollees.”

If this plan becomes fully implemented, there will need to be more accessible ways to be treated. Creative writing, art or music can offer an outlet and an alternative that can help if professional resources are not covered by health insurance or are not suited for your needs.

Of course, there are mental health illnesses that need to be treated professionally, but these types of outlets could be useful for those struggling with mild anxiety, depression, PTSD and more.

An article published in the American Journal of Public Health explores the affects of music engagement, visual arts therapy, movement-based creative expression and expressive writing on mental health.

For music therapy, it proved that music has decreased symptoms of anxiety because it can calm the neural activity in the brain. The Krannert Center is always advertising music shows that could be attended to help curb anxiety, or, if you are a student, you could take an introductory music class. Even just playing the perfect Spotify playlist can be a way to engage in music therapy.

The article also discusses studies that have proven that visual arts can be used to express an experience that is too difficult to put into words. The studies specifically looked at people who struggle with illnesses like cancer for whom art became a refuge for emotions associated with their illness. Taking time out of your day to draw or partaking in an introductory art class are great ways to find out if this outlet could work for you.

Additionally, the article mentions that “Studies have shown that, relative to control group participants, individuals who have written about their own traumatic experiences exhibit statistically significant improvements in various measures of physical health, reductions in visits to physicians, and better immune system functioning.”

In this way, creative writing can be an effective method of dealing with an intense experience. There are many creative writing classes offered at the University that could help manage mental health. There is even a class in the Creative Writing department that focuses on writing about trauma and topics that are difficult for a student to approach.

Taking a class might not be the best way for someone to get involved, but just trying out creative expression at home, watching a Youtube video on the topic or asking a friend who knows about an art form can be effective creative methods for self-healing.

There is not enough current emphasis on these options as opposed to traditional counseling resources. Even if you do not describe yourself as creative, that doesn’t mean that these options will not work. Take a chance on a creative and artistic outlet before you let your anxiety get the best of you.

Jaime is a sophomore in LAS.

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