"But what if some of the most effective supports for youth already exist-just not in places we would typically describe as clinical? Maybe they look like a shared rhythm in a dance studio, a quiet sketch passed between friends, or a circle of teens snapping after a poem. This is what we call "creative belonging": the power of self-expression in collective, culturally grounded spaces that help young people feel seen, safe, and real."
"Between 2011 and 2021, the number of high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness soared to 42%, the highest in 30 years (Verlenden, 2023). For LGBTQ+ youth, students of color, and those facing poverty or violence, the numbers are even more staggering (CDC, 2023). In response, many programs and policy efforts have focused on scaling up clinical services: expanding telehealth, hiring more school-based therapists, and investing in mental health first aid."
Creative spaces act as mental health infrastructure by providing safety, connection, and care beyond clinical settings. Collective, culturally grounded self-expression—termed creative belonging—helps young people feel seen, safe, and authentic. Rates of persistent sadness and hopelessness among high school students rose to 42% between 2011 and 2021, with disproportionately higher impacts on LGBTQ+ youth, students of color, and those facing poverty or violence. Policy responses have prioritized expanding clinical services, but clinical expansion can miss social, cultural, and developmental needs and youth preferences. Youth-led, culturally grounded arts and storytelling programs build resilience, pride, and identity.
Read at Psychology Today
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