Patients create calming mural at mental health hospital
By Diana Morais
A clinical area at a London mental health hospital has been transformed into a lively and colourful space thanks to the creativity of its patients.
Service users at Cygnet Hospital Blackheath, located in Blackheath Hill, came together to design and create a charming new mural that has brightened up a clinical ward at the hospital.
The mural depicts a large flowering tree and the sun, creating a calming effect for those being cared for in the ward run by Cygnet Health Care.
The mural, which took several weeks to complete, transformed the communal area of the 14-bed Tyler Unit, the male psychiatric intensive care unit. In collaboration with the hospital’s occupational therapy team and art therapist, users were involved at every stage of the process.
Service users were provided with a model wall and encouraged to create their own designs and share their ideas. Elements of each person’s design were then incorporated to form the collective artwork.
One of the users helped to trace the drawing on the wall with a pencil and, over the following weeks, other people gradually contributed to the creation with the help of the staff.
Art psychotherapist Sophie Cachia said: “Collaborating on the mural and engaging the service users has encouraged teamwork and reduced feelings of isolation.
“The shared experience also helped to boost self-esteem, offering the participants a sense of accomplishment and pride as everyone contributed to the mural’s creation.
“This inclusive approach allowed everyone to have a role in the project, whether through painting or offering creative input, fostering a sense of community and ownership over the final artwork.”
Dr Victoria Mee, lead clinical and forensic psychologist at Cygnet, said feedback from service users is that the room is more ‘welcoming’ now.
Pictured top (from left to right): Anthony Aigbe (clinical manager), Rebecca Fordwor, (ward manager) and Sophie Cachia (art psychotherapist) (Picture: Cygnet Hospital)