Learning / Adult Learning
The Power of the Written Word
With one in four people in the UK experiencing a mental health problem each year, it’s unsurprising that we are constantly on the lookout for new and different methods for coping with the stresses, anxieties and pressures that can make everyday life more difficult.
One such method – and a growing area of research and practice in the field of mental health – is creative writing, and several classes and qualifications focusing on writing for therapeutic purposes have risen to prominence in the UK in recent years.
Creative writing is well-known as an effective form of therapy for a range of mental health issues, as well as providing help for victims of abuse, bereavement and those suffering with anxiety about work and retirement.
is needed now More than ever
The opportunity to express feelings and relate experiences without having to verbalise or even share them is a welcome source of release for many, and the room for creative freedom allows writers to tap into areas they may not otherwise reach through alternative forms of therapy.
Techniques such as journal-keeping, metaphorical writing and the exploration of mind and imagination through poetry and prose are often used by psychologists and social workers to penetrate problems related to mental health, and several courses are currently being run in Bristol both for those who would like to partake in the therapy and those who would like to use it in a professional capacity.
One-to-one Writing for Wellbeing classes are held at the Orchard Foundation in central Bristol, as well as sessions at Your Space Counselling in Kingswood. For professionals, Creative Arts Therapies Studies are available at City of Bristol College and an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Services is offered at the Metanoia Institute.
Visit www.mind.org.uk for more information on classes and courses in the Bristol area.
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