Art therapy Workshop ( November 2024 )

Introduction:

Art therapy continues to gain recognition as an effective method to support mental health and emotional well-being through creative expression. To further promote awareness of its role in therapeutic care, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences (FCMS), in collaboration with the Community Service Activity Unit, organized a Second Art Therapy Workshop. This session built on the success of the previous workshop by focusing on the current status and applications of art therapy in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, offering students both theoretical insights and practical engagement.

Goals and Objectives:

Explore the development and recognition of art therapy in the Kingdom and the Middle East.

• Present case examples of how art therapy supports mental and emotional healing.

• Encourage students to express emotions and experiences through art.

• Use student artwork as a tool for open discussion and emotional reflection.

• Promote art as a culturally sensitive tool in therapeutic settings.

Description of learning outcomes achieved through the activity:

Participants gained a contextual understanding of how art therapy is being integrated into mental health services across Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries. Through illustrative examples, they learned about the psychological benefits of creative expression in diverse clinical and community settings. Students engaged in guided drawing exercises, and their artworks were later discussed as part of a reflective activity that helped explore emotions, coping strategies, and inner awareness.

Date:

Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Time:

Time: 3:00 – 4:00 P.M.

Venue:

TBL, second floor, Building 3

Targeted Audience:

Students from MBBS, PharmD, Nursing, and MLS programs

Brief description of the activity:

The session began with a short talk on the relevance and rising acceptance of art therapy in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, including examples from healthcare and rehabilitation centers. Following this, students were invited to create drawings reflecting their emotions or mental states. These drawings were then used in a group discussion to promote emotional expression, self-awareness, and empathy. The interactive nature of the activity allowed students to experience firsthand how art can serve as a non-verbal therapeutic tool.

Staff participation in the activity:

12 faculty and administrative staff members

Student participation in the activity: 29 students from MBBS, PharmD, Nursing, and MLS programs

Participants’ Feedback:

Survey results: 4.9/5 (97%)

Participants appreciated the personal and reflective nature of the session, and many expressed interest in participating in similar mental health and wellness workshops in the future.

Conclusion:

The Second Art Therapy Workshop provided an enriching platform for students to explore mental wellness through creative expression. By connecting the practice of art therapy to local and regional contexts, the workshop highlighted its cultural adaptability and therapeutic value. This initiative strengthened the college’s commitment to holistic education and emotional resilience and encouraged ongoing student participation in wellness-centered activities.

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