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Culture Vitamins – an Arts on Prescription project in Denmark

Article  in  Perspectives in Public Health · April 2019

DOI: 10.1177/1757913919836145

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 PEER REVIEW

Culture Vitamins – an Arts on Prescription project in Denmark

Culture Vitamins – an Arts on Prescription project in Denmark

Culture Vitamins – an Arts on

Prescription project in Denmark
Authors
Abstract
A Jensen
Postdoc, Centre for Culture Aims: Four Arts on Prescription (AoP) projects are piloting in Denmark between 2016 and 2019.
and Health, Department of
One of the local authorities delivering the project is Aalborg. The AoP project ‘Culture Vitamins’
Communication and
Psychology, Aalborg runs for 10 weeks and offers a variety of cultural activities averaging 2.5 workshops per week for
University, A.C. Meyers participants with mild to moderate depression, stress or anxiety. The study aims to evaluate and
Vænge 15, 2450 explore the potential mental health wellbeing benefits for the participants.
Copenhagen SV, Denmark
Email: [email protected] Method: A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was used and included seven
participants who were referred to the project by the local job centre. A thematic approach was
applied to analyse the data and a theoretical lens of Salutogenesis was employed to explore the
Corresponding author:
Anita Jensen, as above
findings.
Findings: The findings associated with mental health and the themes that emerged from the
Keywords data described the participants’ subjective experiences and were (1) positive changes, (2)
Arts on Prescription; mental overcoming challenges and being in the ‘space’ and (3) moving from self-critical to self-caring.
health; arts and health; The reported mental health benefits were increased energy level, increased self-esteem, more joy
wellbeing; Salutogenesis
in life, less panic attacks, increased motivation, a better understanding of own needs, an
increased level of self-care and, in addition, some of the participants said that they felt more
aligned to the labour market.
Conclusions: The AoP project offered value and meaning for the participants and can be seen
as a motivating tool that created access to new experiences and understandings by means of
arts engagement. The ‘Culture Vitamins’ project can be regarded as a catalyst for connecting
with inner resources and unlocking some of the barriers that mental ill health has created. The
experience has shifted the participants’ experience of themselves in the world and initiated their
motivation for the future. The ‘Culture Vitamins’ project offered a positive contribution to public
health challenges associated with stress, anxiety and depression of individuals.

Introduction programmes often vary in length, in the numbers

The use of arts and cultural activities for mental of participants and in the range of activities
health wellbeing is now commonplace.1–4 Such depending on the given context. In the UK, the
activities are frequently offered through social concept can be traced back to 1994.8 AoP or Arts
referral programmes within primary care5–8 and are on Referral (AoR) programmes are offered in
often referred to as Arts on Prescription (AoP). various organisational frameworks and can be
AoP falls under the category of social prescribing, explained as a process where participants actively
which is a means of enabling general practitioners engage in creative group activities facilitated by
(GPs), nurses and other primary care professionals professional artists.
to refer people to a range of local and non-clinical A review of AoP programmes in the UK8
services. Recognising that an individual’s health is examined whether AoP programmes could be
primarily determined by a range of social, used as part of the solution to the challenges of
economic and environmental factors, social the increase in public mental health issues. The
prescribing strives to address the individual’s need review demonstrates that such programmes could
in a holistic way.9 AoP programmes can be contribute to building social capital, community
described as non-clinical activities that are group- involvement and improved health and wellbeing;
based with social and creative opportunities and the review concluded that AoP could be used
some are offered as part of a treatment plan positively as a supplement to traditional treatments
agreed with a healthcare provider.5 These non- of poor mental health and to promote social
clinical, community and group-based arts engagement for socially isolated groups. A

Copyright © Royal Society for Public Health 2019 May 2019 Vol 139 No 3 l Perspectives in Public Health  131
SAGE Publications
ISSN 1757-9139 DOI: 10.1177/1757913919836145
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Culture Vitamins – an Arts on Prescription project in Denmark

qualitative research study highlights that AoP project in Denmark. The findings are 3-year duration starting in 2016. One of
AoP programmes provide a creative and discussed in light of the medical the local authorities delivering the AoP
therapeutic environment and promote sociologist Aaron Antonovsky’s17 (Kultur på Recept) pilot project, Aalborg,
social, psychological and occupational Salutogenesis model. The aim of the is located in the north of Denmark with
benefits. Some participants also study is to evaluate and explore the 113,400 inhabitants. The AoP pilot
discovered new opportunities for the potential mental health wellbeing benefits project in Aalborg is called ‘Culture
future.10 A follow-up study of the same for the participants. Vitamins’. The Health and Cultural
participants demonstrates how an AoP Department developed the project and it
project has been a catalyst for positive Salutogenesis is delivered and coordinated by the
change, and participants report The Salutogenesis model represents a Center for Mental Health, which is run by
increased self-esteem, improved social humanistic philosophy with a person- the Aalborg local authority. The project is
and communication skills as well as centred approach. Antonovsky’s focus is designed for people with mild to
increased motivation and aspiration. on resources, competences and moderate depression, anxiety and stress
Positive effects in terms of education and promoting of the ‘healthy’ (Salutogenesis) who are not working and a coordinator is
volunteering were also registered.11 contrary to an emphasis on diseases, employed to facilitate the running of the
Improvement in the wellbeing of malfunctions and risk factors project. Members of staff from the
participants with short-term and long- (pathogenesis). In this way, Salutogenesis following cultural institutions/stakeholders
term mental health problems was found is a health practice that is oriented contribute to the activities: The Museum
in another study.12 towards what already exists and what of Modern Art (Kunsten), the Library,
In one AoP study, significant makes someone healthier and works from Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, Aalborg
improvements were found in the the perspective that people are always City Archive, The Rhythmic Centre and
wellbeing of 202 participants where the somewhere on a continuum between sick Aalborg Theater. In addition, the project
interventions were seen as effective in and healthy, and while, for example, at the includes a guided tour by a nature guide
promoting wellbeing and targeting more ‘sick’ end of the continuum, there as well as instruction in the use of music
women, older people and lower will also be some ‘healthy’ dimensions in for therapeutic benefits facilitated by
socioeconomic groups.13 The study also life.17 The purpose is to promote health music therapists. The participants are
showed that those referred with multi- through the strengthening of resources expected to participate in all the activities
morbidity had significant positive and competences that an individual and have opportunity to discuss the
changes in wellbeing across the possesses. According to Antonovsky,17 activities with the project coordinator.
intervention periods.14 In addition, a resilience in relation to psychosocial
study of the effect of ‘Museum on pressure (in terms of illness, social or
Prescription’ for older people existential crisis), is a concept that The activities
demonstrates that museums can depends on the individual’s experience of ‘Culture Vitamins’ is a 10-week project
contribute to psychological wellbeing.6 coherence. That is, the individual’s offering a variety of arts and cultural
In Sweden, service users who were in experience of existence as being activities averaging 2-h sessions 2.5
rehabilitation at hospitals in Lund and understandable, manageable and times a week. The project offers a variety
Malmö were offered a 10-week project meaningful, which he describes as sense of activities including choir singing,
with various cultural activities, including of coherence (SOC). Antonovsky identifies guided reading, introduction to the city
concert experiences.15 The results, the concept of SOC as constructed by archives, listing to music, visiting an art
based on 123 participants, showed that three components, namely museum and a theatre, and a nature
29% of participants had achieved a comprehensibility, manageability and hike. The choir singing activity presents a
clinically relevant change in health-related meaningfulness, which interact with an mix of well-known and unknown songs
quality of life (QOL) and/or work capacity individual’s natural coping style, for the participants and is facilitated by a
after a 12-month follow-up. Furthermore, upbringing, financial assets and social professional vocal teacher. The guided
a review focusing on practices in support. Meaningfulness is highlighted as reading takes place at the library in a
Sweden, Norway and Denmark showed the most important element and specially designed room. Guided reading
that while there is an interest in the Antonovsky argues that if a person is a concept introduced by The Reader
initiatives in the respective countries, it is believes there is no reason to persist, Organisation in the UK, whereby a
still a relatively new way of thinking about survive and confront challenges, if they trained guide reads while participants
health and it will take time to develop have no sense of meaning, then they will only listen and follow the text. During
AoP practice in the Scandinavian not be motivated to comprehend and pauses in the reading the participants
context.16 manage events.17 talk about the content. The city archive
Despite the various approaches, a offers insights into the history of the local
common goal for AoP programmes is to area, including a guided city walk and an
improve the mental health wellbeing of The AoP pilot project in Aalborg introduction to genealogical research.
the participants. This article focuses on The Danish Government provided Listening to music performed by the
the findings from a qualitative study of an funding for four pilot AoP projects with a Symphony Orchestra concludes with a

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talk about the individual participant’s and explores the depths of what is and has not experienced an anxiety
appreciation of the experience. At the special and unique.18 The findings were attack since he started the ‘Culture
Museum of Modern Art, the participants considered through a Salutogenic Vitamins’ project.
partake in a guided tour of the museum’s perspective.17 Rebekka also commented on the
collection and a creative workshop where differences she had experienced:
participants can create a work of art. The Strengths and limitations of the
visits to the theatre included a backstage study It is completely crazy. I’m not the
tour and a body language workshop The findings are limited to this study and same person as when I started [...] so,
facilitated by actors. Music as a cannot be generalised. However, the but it’s totally crazy. I have gone from
mastering strategy is introduced by qualitative approach allowed capturing of A to Z. I have – also in terms of my
music therapists, demonstrating how the individuals’ experiences and energy levels. (Rebekka)
music can be used as a tool in different perceptions thus eliciting authentic
situations. The project also includes a personal mental health benefits from In addition, Mathias also felt closer to
hiking tour with a nature guide focusing participation. The Danish Health Authority the labour market and talks about a
on animal and plant life in the local (Sundhedsstyrelsen) collected possible work placement, something that
environment. quantitative data on the AoP pilot project, has previously been far-off for him:
but it was not possible to access these
data, which could have strengthened the It has given me ... it has started me
Methods
study and nuanced the findings. A thinking if I’m ready to go back and try
Qualitative, semi-structured interviews
thematic data analysis allows for again (A WORK PLACEMENT).
were used in this research evaluation and
theoretical freedom and seeks to record Because I have not been able to keep
open questions elicited participants’
and examine patterns in data but is that up earlier. (Mathias)
experiences of attending the AoP project.
These one-to-one interviews and limited to the researcher’s ability to make
sense of meaning and connections. The comments illustrate that the
participants’ responses revealed patterns
participants have experienced a positive
in understandings and practices. The
change in their wellbeing, including
interviews were recorded and Findings improved energy, decrease in anxiety
transcribed. Participants gave their The findings from the study were divided attacks and feeling that trying to manage
informed consent to take part in the into four themes; however, this article will a job is a real possibility. In this way, they
interviews, were informed about their only focus on the findings associated have moved closer towards mastering
right to withdraw and approved the with mental health. The themes that their own life situation.
transcribed texts before data were used emerged from the data describe the Participants also described how they
in the analysis process. Pseudonyms participants’ subjective experiences and each struggled with daily challenges
were used for all participants to were (1) positive changes, (2) overcoming before starting the project. Mathias
anonymise the data. challenges and being in the ‘space’ and commented on how he sometimes
(3) moving from self-critical to self-caring. needed to isolate himself from the world:
Participants
All of the participants were off work due Positive changes There have been long periods when
to mild to moderate depression, anxiety The majority of the participants reported I’ve locked myself in my flat. If it was a
or stress-related issues and were referred that their mental health improved after short period of time, it lasted a couple
to the project by the local job centre. participating in the project: of days, but it has also lasted for three
Participants were informed about the to four months. (Mathias)
study by the project coordinator and I believe I’m feeling better now. I feel
recruited prior to the first meeting, at more open and more energetic than I Liv described a depressed state,
which they received further information was before. I’ve got more energy, I’ve which made it difficult to contemplate the
and were introduced to the researcher. become more tolerant of other people future:
There were initially eight participants. ... I want to go out and be part of the
One participant later dropped out, during world on the other side of my door. ... I want to say that before I started, I
the first week. There were five women .. I have not had an anxiety attack was in crisis... I could not really figure
and two men aged between 31 and while I’ve been here, and that is big. I out ... I was very depressed about
49 years. had that before, yes. It has given more what should happen ... I could not see
joy to life all around. (Mathias) a light ahead. (Liv)
Data analysis
The data were analysed using Braun and Mathias described how he has Prior to the project participants
Clarke’s thematic analysis model that become more interested in joining the expressed their inability to engage with
seeks to understand meaningful contexts world and interacting with other people, people or have thoughts about the

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future, suggesting a lack of a sense of Marie commented that it was a big Moving from self-critical to self-
coherence. On completion of the project, leap for her to start ‘Culture Vitamins’ caring
the feelings that participants expressed after a long period of being indoors and Participants commented on how they
about themselves and their surroundings not engaging in new social relationships, had moved from being self-critical to
put forward positive changes for but it gradually improved: having a sense of their own needs and to
themselves and a step towards creating being more self-caring.
meaning in their lives and connecting I think it was hard to start, but it got Rebekka recognised that she needed
with other people. better as time passed. [...] It’s been a to continue participating in activities in
The participants were asked if their big jump for me to take because it’s order to move on. Liv is ready to move
relatives and/or friends noticed their been a long time since I have been out on, and has started thinking about what
change. Rebekka described how her [...] I actually feel best if I do not interact she really wants to work with and has
husband and children have commented with other people, but here I had to, so allowed herself to be more focused on
on her changed mood: that was a challenge. (Marie) her own need for fulfilment:

So, I now have a different everyday Petra commented that she I was tired of myself before because I
and I think so, yes, that my family can experienced fatigue at first, found that was not who I wanted to be, well ...
feel it too. And my husband says: “You starting was a challenge and that it took But I also know that it is important for
are completely different, so you are her a while before she noticed the to sign up for other things to move on.
completely happy again.” “Yes, I am.” advantages of participation: (Rebekka)
My children can also feel it. It is clear
to me. They say, “You are so happy Of course, the tiredness is also So it has also been a huge change, I
mom, did you sing today?” (Rebekka) because there were many new things. can feel. Now I’m ready. It’s just
It was hard at first because it was just wonderful...now I’ve also begun to
Petra’s husband has also experienced coming out and new people and think a lot about what it really is, I’d
a positive change in her and noticed that something like this. So it took some like. What do I want? (Liv)
the whole family was socially affected by time before I feel I was getting
Petra’s lack of motivation: something from the project. (Petra) Petra noted a need to work in a
different area. She also commented on
My husband said that he especially In addition, participants also an increased ability to understand herself
could feel that there were particular commented on the relevance of the better, an increased sense of self-esteem
activities that I was looking forward to. ‘space’ that the project created: and had realised the importance of
He could feel like I was happy and my looking after herself:
mood was much better afterwards [...] It has really be a free space where we
He could really feel that it was good could just as the individuals that we I have to work with something
for me... and as my husband also said are. (Mathias) completely different. Perhaps I’ve
it was not only me, in fact, it was the become better at discovering these
whole family that had been socially For Rebekka, it was the ‘unsaid’ that things [ABOUT HERSELF]. I’ve got
stalled. (Petra) was important and that there was no better at handle it, and that’s thanks
focus on illness: to the fact that I’ve have a better
The comments show that close sense of myself and self-esteem and
relations of the participants also noted a ...because we understood each do things that are good for me and
positive change in the participants’ other. Not because we talked about ensure that I do not just run around
behaviour and that they therefore also illness. I don’t think any of us wanted and do things for others. (Petra)
benefitted from the ‘Culture Vitamins’ to, but was what was not said...
project and the changed experience of (Rebekka) The participants expressed how they
living with a sick family member. had developed an improved awareness
Starting on the project highlighted of their own needs in positive ways and
Overcoming challenges and being in different challenges for the participants, felt encouraged to be more self-caring.
the ‘space’ including lack of self-esteem, They acknowledged a previous lack of
All participants expressed that it had exhaustion and anxiety about meeting focus on their own needs, which
been difficult to start on the project, that other people. However, they indicates an increased access to their
each of them had experienced different recognised that the project created a own inner resources and abilities.
challenges, had mixed feelings about the space where the focus was not on
other participants, had their own illness and that the healthy theme
insecurity and experienced exhaustion (Salutogenesis) was brought to the Discussion
associated with meeting two to three foreground, enabling participants to The findings show that the participants
times a week. feel more relaxed with themselves. experienced better mental health

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wellbeing and had better connection with individual’s life here and now and with future with more optimism and self-
their own resources after taking part in realistic possibilities. In order to promote acceptance. The resource orientation,
the AoP project. The findings are and facilitate manageable participation which is the foundation of Antonovsky’s
discussed in light of a Salutogenic that yields commitment and stimulates health understanding, may be seen as a
perspective,17 linking to theories of coping mechanisms, it is essential to fundamental point for the AoP
accessing one’s own inner resources and develop an approach and practice that is approaches focusing on humanity and
promoting components of sense of based on the individual’s actual and emphasising subjective meaning and
coherence. current participation opportunities.19 In meaningfulness. The AoP approach
other words, to be understood and promoted and supported individuals’
Comprehensibility respected within their current life situation processes of accessing their inner
Antonovsky defines comprehensibility as was an important aspect of manageable resources. Connecting with inner
to which extent events are perceived as participation for the participants. A resources unlocked some of the barriers
making logical sense, that they are success experience of being able to that the participants associated with
ordered, consistent, and structured.17 manage and cope with participation in negative feelings about themselves. The
The AoP project offered activities in a the project provided the participants Salutogenesis approach helps to build
structured framework that can help feelings of achievement that can be resistance and is described as an
reinforce structure and continuation in applied to other aspects of their lives. in-depth, personal way of thinking, being
the participants’ lives. Reinforcing and acting,21 and is centred on
structure can support feelings about Meaningfulness discovering and using inner personal
being able to predict future events.17 The Meaningfulness, which Antonovsky sees resources and surrounding resources.
findings show that some of the as the single most important factor to Supporting mental health wellbeing
participants became more aware of their survive, adopt and overcome difficulties, through a Salutogenesis approach allows
own needs and increased their ability to is linked to how much an individual feels for an individual subjective process that
think more about self-care, which that life makes sense, and if challenges can contribute to the development of
suggests a strengthening of self- are worthy of commitment.17 Some of individuals’ own resources in difficult
understanding. This indicates a moving the participants commented that prior to times. Despite the experienced benefits
closer to a sense of self that embraces the project they had lacked a sense of to mental health wellbeing and future
and comprehends one’s own current meaning and purpose for getting up in motivation, without opportunities for a
situation with its limits, challenges and the morning and engaging in the wider ‘next step’ beyond the AoP project the
benefits creates new openings. Some world. Participating in the project participants are left with nowhere to go.22
participants referred to these new fostered motivation for the future and In this respect, collaboration between the
understandings as an increased ability to helped create a sense of meaning. Such involved social and health authorities, job
identify their own needs that in turn meaningfulness was evidently centre and possible charities is
reinforces the ability to make sense of experienced in different ways, was necessary.
events and create positive structures in subjective, and was unique for the
their daily life. individual as they came with their own Conclusion
history and circumstances. One Participants in the ‘Culture Vitamins’ AoP
Manageability participant found meaning in discovering project experienced improvement in their
Manageability from a Salutogenic things about herself while for another it mental health wellbeing. The mental
perspective is the extent to which a was about having less panic attacks. health benefits were reported as:
person feels they can cope with life.17 Furthermore, the participants noted increased energy level, increased self-
The AoP project promoted an alternative feelings of increased mental capacity as esteem, more joy in life, less panic
focus, a free space and an opportunity well as the ability to participate in social attacks, increased motivation, better
for participants to take part on their own situations that positively contributed to understanding of own needs, increased
terms. They mentioned that participating meaningfulness in their lives. Improving self-care, and some of the participants
on their own terms was a significant part the ability to take part in social situations felt closer to the labour market. The
of being able to manage to take part and and interaction with other people ‘Culture Vitamins’ project can be
build up their resilience. The participants reinforces a sense of control and mastery regarded as a catalyst for connecting
also commented on how their illness was over life.20 with inner resources and unlocking some
not in focus while attending the project. of the barriers that mental ill health has
The project’s aim is not to ignore illness Resource-oriented approach created. The experience has shifted the
and problems experienced by the The participants also commented on participants’ experience of themselves in
individual, which is also part of the experiencing increased coherence in the world and initiated motivation for the
individual’s life context, but instead, to their life and being able to make future. Furthermore, the individual’s own
focus on something that can contribute connections between the past and the experience and assessment of what can
to meaningfulness and quality in the present, and could therefore view the help promote individual wellbeing and

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improved mental health is legitimised. research, authorship and/or publication of was registered with the Data Protection
The ‘Culture Vitamins’ project offered a this article. Agency and was conducted in line with
positive contribution to a public health Aalborg University’s research guidelines.
challenge associated with stress, anxiety
and depression in individuals. Ethical Approval
According to the Danish Committee of Funding
Conflict of Interest Research ethics, it was not necessary to The author(s) received no financial support
The author(s) declared no potential acquire Ethics Committee approval for this for the research, authorship and/or
conflicts of interest with respect to the evaluation study in Denmark. The study publication of this article.

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