Prioritise mental health in creative spaces

By Lynn Nasirumbi

Mental health is a crucial part of our overall well-being, impacting our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

In recent years, discussions surrounding mental health have become more prominent.

However, in creative spaces, mental health is still an often-overlooked subject, despite the unique challenges that creatives face.

Creative professionals, including designers, writers, and artists, experience specific mental health challenges due to the nature of their work. The American Psychological Association (APA) has highlighted that individuals in creative fields tend to experience higher levels of emotional sensitivity, which can increase the likelihood of developing mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and burnout.

The pursuit of perfection and the emotional investment that comes with creative work can be draining. Creative professionals often work in cycles of intense inspiration, followed by creative blocks, which can significantly affect their mental health. As Maureen Katabishwa, an industry professional who spoke at the recently held Colour Festival at the Artfield Institute of Design, put it, “Mental health isn’t just about being in a state of happiness or calm. It’s about being able to function and cope with the day-to-day demands of life.”

These sentiments were echoed by Nelson Paul Mutyaba, a Motion Graphics and Broadcasting Design student at Artfield Institute, who noted that creatives often neglect their health in the pursuit of their work: “We as designers pass through a lot and take most of our time designing and forget about our health. This session helped us to understand when we need help and how to ask for it.”

There are several misconceptions about mental health in creative communities that need to be addressed, such as neglect of personal needs, misunderstanding of mental breakdowns, and stigma around seeking help. Katabishwa emphasized the importance of recognizing these signs early and encouraged students to reflect on their emotional state daily. She urged them to ask themselves, “How do you feel when you get up in the morning? How do you feel throughout the day, and at night when it’s time to sleep?” These questions help track not only productivity but also emotional well-being.

One of the keys to maintaining mental health in creative fields is to prioritize self-care and set clear, realistic goals. Many creatives get off track because they lack financial planning or fail to establish boundaries in their work.

Experts at the panel highlighted essential strategies for creatives to prioritize their well-being. By establishing a consistent routine with balanced work hours, breaks, and rest, individuals can prevent burnout. Learning to set boundaries helps avoid overcommitting, while seeking support from loved ones or professionals ensures help when needed. Furthermore, mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, and exercise reduce stress and foster self-awareness, promoting holistic mental health.

Mutyaba further highlighted that creatives often “pass through a lot” without acknowledging when they need help. Institutions and employers must offer spaces for creatives to express these concerns and seek timely assistance.

Mental health issues are not always visible, but their effects on creativity can be profound. A personal story from a participant at the Colour Festival brought this to light. They shared an anecdote about a relative who, despite being highly creative and talented, struggled to maintain stability in their career due to recurring mental health crises. These crises, coupled with unresolved financial and personal stresses, eventually led to frequent hospitalizations, draining their creative energy over time.

In closing, Katabishwa encouraged students to take the first step towards prioritizing their mental well-being by making time for self-care, seeking support when needed, and joining the conversation to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Mental health is the foundation of creativity and success. It’s time to make it a priority in creative spaces, ensuring that mental well-being is not an afterthought but a crucial part of the creative process.

The writer is a Public Relations Executive at Brainchild BCW