Watch above: It’s a program that has taken off in the Saskatoon Health Region providing healing to patients through art. Meaghan Craig tries her hand at the concept and finds out how this unique therapy works.
SASKATOON – They say art speaks to our souls and in some cases has become a form of healing. There’s a program that has taken off in the Saskatoon Health Region providing healing to patients through art.
In an environment where you may least expect to the find the arts, St. Paul’s Hospital has embraced it, offering a holistic care approach where the focus is more about the heart, mind and spirit and it’s impact on patients.
“During illness it’s sometimes hard to articulate ourselves, the different types of thoughts and feelings that we’re trying to process, we don’t always have words for them and the arts have this beautiful, universal appeal due to it’s ability to transcend the limits of language,” said Marlessa Wesolowski, artist in residence.
The healing process in some cases can be as simple as putting pencil to paper.
“It takes my mind off of what’s really going on with my health and it gives me a break,” said 52-year-old Dean Hogue, who is awaiting hip surgery.
“Ever since I have found the availability of this, it’s been helpful, it’s been enjoyable to come in here, it relaxes me.”
“The arts I have seen give them a space where they can express themselves, they can find new meaning in relation to their health crisis or illness and heal,” explained Wesolowski.
According to Wesolowski, the subject has been researched for decades and back the claims that a patient’s participation in the arts, active or passive, can promote healing.
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“People’s pain that they’re feeling has been reduced, a decrease of medication, patients have stated that they haven’t had to take their pain medication within that time frame that day because they have found that the arts have given them a space that as Dean said take their mind away from their illness.”
This approach to health care can be used on any patient, at any age and provides a safe environment for self expression.
“There is no set pattern to any of it, it’s just enjoying the time spent and doing it and whatever comes out at the time happens, creative process,” remarked Hogue.
The healing arts program at St. Paul’s Hospital was the first of its kind in the region. Since it’s inception in 2005, thousands of patients have accessed the program and hundreds of pieces of artwork have graced the hospital’s walls.
“Paintings are a moment in time and they capture the journey of the person that they’ve been on, that’s why many of the paintings symbolizing hope,” explained Wesolowski.
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