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February 9, 2023

EVENT: May 23, 2023, Culture and Mental Health – Practices and Policies, Brussels

Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union, Culture Action Europe and RED NOSES International invite you to an event as part of the current EU projects "CultureForHealth” and “Clowning Connects Us”

By CultureForHealth

The Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union, Culture Action Europe and RED NOSES International are inviting to an event as part of the current EU projects “Culture for Health” and “Clowning Connects Us” titled: 

Culture and Mental Health -  Practices and Policies

 

 

Date: May 23 2023, 16:00 -18:00 followed by a light reception until 20:00

Location: Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union, Rue Belliard 41/43, 1040 Bruxelles

Agenda

15:45: Arrival-going through security

16:00: Welcome by H.E. Arnoldas Pranckevičius, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU

16:15: Screening of Documentary by NARA based on the project “Clowning Connects Us

A documentary by the Lithuanian journalist collective NARA (Berta Tilmantaitė and Mindaugas Drigotas) filmed in the frame of the Creative Europe project “Clowning Connects Us.” The movie captures moments of connection between the clown artists and their audiences: elderly with dementia and children on the autism spectrum. Watch the trailer here.

Discussion and Q&A with filmmakers and artists, moderated by RED NOSES

17:00: Presentation of Lithuanian Case Studies

  • Ms Indre Juodikė, international project CREATIVE HOME(less) manager, representative of Panevėžys City municipality administration
  • Ms Roma Survilienė, National Library of Lithuania, Head of Center for Competence Development and Cultural Education

17:20 Policy discussion with policy makers and practitioners on policy changes needed to further integrate arts into health and social care systems.

Moderated by Lars Ebert, Secretary General of Culture Action Europe

Discussants:

  • Dr. Nils Fietje, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Behavioural and Cultural insights Unit, Technical Officer
  • Pernille Weiss – Member of the European Parliament, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
  • Georg Haeusler, Director, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture, European Commission
  • Roma Survilienė, National Library of Lithuania, Head of Center for Competence Development and Cultural Education

18:00: Reception courtesy of the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the European Union

  • Toast by Lauriane Bertrand – member of cabinet of Mariya Gabriel – EU Commissioner responsible for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (TBC)

20:00 End

Concept 

In the context of the upcoming EU’s comprehensive approach to mental health, the event “Culture and Mental Health - Practices and Policies” aims to showcase how arts and culture contribute to health and wellbeing, discussing how these approaches can become more integrated in our health and social care system.  

A significant amount of robust, clinical evidence has now repeatedly shown that the arts have a positive impact on complex health challenges, such as mental health. Recent research reviews by the WHO 2019 and the CultureForHealth report have synthesised existing evidence on the positive effect of arts and cultural activities on health and well-being. Further, CultureForHealth outlined a series of policy recommendations aiming to bring the cooperation between health, social and cultural level to a policy level.

Change is needed

The impact to shift this paradigm is needed. We have to invest in cultural activities for long-term health promotion and disease prevention. Fostering cultural activities can be a key contributor to a holistic mental health strategy, counterbalancing loneliness and isolation and supporting individual and community well-being. 

Recent projects, publications and research have underlined this perception.

Through examples from the field and a panel discussion with decision-makers, the event offers the opportunity to discuss how we can make better use of and systematically include cultural approaches in our health and social care systems.

We are looking forward to seeing you. Please register and announce your arrival for this event.

Register here
Registration for the event

What are the positive impacts of art-based interventions? The CultureForHealth Report summarises the categories of health and well-being outcomes associated with arts and cultural participation.

CultureForHealth Report
CultureForHealth Report

European Mental Health Week

The European Mental Health Week is a pan-European initiative that aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in our everyday lives. Set up and run by Europe’s largest independent mental health NGO Mental Health Europe (MHE).

This week-long online action is a chance for everyone to speak up about all aspects of mental health, share personal stories of how to cope with difficulties in times of crisis and in general, and highlight the need for action.

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