MONCTON – Harrison Trimble High School is using a method to help students discover how to express themselves without words.
Last spring, the Moncton high school launched an art therapy program with the help of art therapist Pamela Cail. Cail says she discovered the healing power of art after spending years struggling under a dark cloud of depression.
Now, the therapist says it’s rewarding to see kids express their emotions on canvas.
“You can just feel the release of it and you can see it on their face and you can feel it in your body and that’s the process,” she said.
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Art therapy has been around since the 1940’s, but it hasn’t been widely used in schools. Some guidance counselors say it should be, because they connect with kids they haven’t been able to reach.
Guidance counselor Julie Doucette says far too many students struggle with issues that they have a hard time expressing.
“We have a lot of student who are dealing with substance abuse. We have a lot of students who are dealing with home issues. It’s those types of things,” Doucette said.
Grade 11 student Courtney Baisley has been struggling with anxiety and depression since grade seven. She says life got better after she started to draw.
“I find art is the best way. It shows your true colours,” Baisley said.
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