Art that heals the mind - Competition for mental health patients

'The Golfer', by Mervyn Joseph, won third prize in the Risperdal Art Competition for people with mental illnesses, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag. - Contributed

Art works by mental health patients are currently on view at the Grosvenor Gallery in Kingston, highlighting the use of art therapy in the treatment of mental illnesses.

The 24 pieces on show are entries submitted from across the Caribbean to the Risperdal Art Competition, launched in the region by drug research/manufacturing company, Janssen-Cilag.

Jamaicans Paul Suckram and Leonard Ferguson were declared first and second place winners in the competition, while the third prize went to Mervyn Joseph of Tobago. They received their awards at the opening of the exhibition recently.

Mr. Suckram is a mentally-ill patient incarcerated in the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre, while Mr. Ferguson is an outpatient at the Bellevue Hospital in Kingston.

Speaking about the competition, Janice Duhaney, Caribbean sales manager for Janssen-Cilag, told The Sunday Gleaner that "people suffering from schizophrenia and other mental illnesses are often stigmatised in society. But suffering from mental illnesses can generate creativity in people. This happens when patients feel less inhibited by rules of society, and find themselves free to express themselves artistically."

Recognising and rewarding this artistic talent, as well as helping to develop the self-esteem and self-confidence of patients was what prompted Janssen-Cilag to launch the Risperdal Art Competition.

"Risperdal is the latest anti-psychotic drug developed by Janssen-Cilag, an it very effective in reducing the usual side effects of mental health drugs (such as loss of motor skills)," Mrs. Duhaney explained. "But, we at Janssen-Cilag believe in the treatment of the patient as a whole, and the mending of lives through a combination of drug therapy and other forms of therapy."

Encouragement

So, through a network of Janssen-Cilag sales representatives in the Caribbean, mental health patients who displayed artistic skills were encouraged to enter the competition.

"The only criterion we had was that all entrants should be patients with a diagnosis of mental illness." Mrs. Duhaney said.

Ten participants were drawn from Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Bahamas, and the winners selected by a panel of judges from the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. The panel was headed by Hope Wheeler, dean of studies in the School of Art and included other art tutors.

Mrs. Duhaney told The Sunday Gleaner that it is proposed to make the art competition an annual one.

"Art can assist mental health sufferers in the rehabilitation process, and enable them to make a significant and positive contribution to society." she said. "And, we at Janssen-Cilag want very much to be part of this process. After all, health care costs can be significantly reduced, as less institutionalisation is required when therapy combines new generation anti-psychotic drugs and this form of (art) therapy."

The works will be on display at the gallery until June 9.

G. H.

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