Joshua Ramirez

Major and Classification

Fine Arts

Faculty Mentor

Suzanne Hudson, Ph.D.

Department

Art History

McNair Project

“Visual Art Therapy as an Early Intervention Tool for Addressing Mental Illness”

Project Abstract

The current study examines whether Visual Art Therapy can be an early intervention tool for addressing mental illness. Important issues regarding art therapy, including community outreach programs and qualitative analysis were incorporated into this study. Over 30 articles and books were reviewed in order to come up with a reputable solution for bringing visual art therapy to those with mental illness. Findings indicated that visual art therapy may have a positive effect on patients of all ages who are coping with mental illness. Findings suggest that their needs to be more government and private programs willing to donate time and funding for visual art therapy programs for people with mental illness.