At the Concert Hall of Taman Budaya Yogyakarta, the Center for Public Mental Health (CPMH) at the UGM Faculty of Psychology orchestrated a compelling art performance titled “A Visual Symphony for Mental Health” on Thursday, Feb 15.
Collaborating with the Arts for Mental Health Advocacy (AMHA) network, this event represents CPMH’s commitment to advancing mental health awareness through the power of art.
The AMHA network, a collaborative research effort involving UGM, Warwick University, Essex University, Ghana University, and Middlesex University London, extended invitations to 500 individuals for this performance.
Among the distinguished guests were representatives from the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), esteemed lecturers, practitioners, talented artists, students, young learners, and members of the general public.
Notable mental health advocates from Ghana and the United Kingdom, including Professor Erminia Colucci, Dr. Ursula Read, Dr. Lily Kpobi, Dr. Sarah Dorgbadzi, Esenam Drah, James Leadbitter, and Zelda Solomon, graced the occasion with their presence.
“We got to know AMHA, a network that aims to use art as a medium to promote mental health. Mental health is one of the priority issues at the Faculty of Psychology, so we hope this collaboration will continue to develop and be useful for the community,” said Dr. Wenty Marina Minza, Vice Dean for Research and Community Service.
Dr. Diana Setiyawati, the director of CPMH, underscored the significance of advocating for both physical and mental well-being, noting that mental health is intricately linked with physical health.
“We need to pay attention to mental health as we do to physical health. This event upholds CPMH’s motto, ‘mental health is everyone’s business,’” Dr. Setiyawati said.
Dr. Ursula Read, a researcher at Essex University, highlighted the prevalent discrimination against individuals with mental illness in Ghana and Indonesia. She emphasized the transformative potential of the AMHA network in challenging stereotypes and fostering societal change through storytelling.
“We will be able to hear various stories about how society in Ghana and Indonesia still discriminates against individuals with mental illness,” said Dr. Read.
“We hope that the AMHA network will reach beyond Ghana and Indonesia to bring humans towards change and tell new stories about how they fight against stereotypes and discrimination towards mental illness in the social environment where they live.”
Dr. Lily Kpobi shared her enlightening experience of self-expression through creative art, drawing parallels between Ghana and Indonesia.
“I am amazed because there are so many similarities between Ghana and Indonesia,” she expressed.
James Leadbitter, a UK-based artist affiliated with AMHA, candidly shared his journey of grappling with mental health conditions for 27 years, and for 15 years of which, finding solace in artistic expression.
“I like to engage in activities related to mental health because sometimes the social environment judges us based on how others perceive the shortcomings, illnesses, and disabilities we have,” he shared.
The performance, enriched with a captivating soundscape and poignant movement theater, commenced with an art stage session. This was followed by a heartfelt dialogue about the lived experiences of mental health survivors, poignantly delivered by Professor Kwartarini Wahyu Yuniarti and Dr. Sarah Dogbadzi.
The audience was treated to evocative poetry recitals by Kwadwo Kwarteg and a thought-provoking video presentation by Ghanaian YouTuber Esenam. Emotional monologues by seven mental health survivors further resonated with the audience, highlighting the power of storytelling in destigmatizing mental illness.
The performance culminated in a stirring group rendition of the song “Nada Jiwa” by AMHA members, followed by the screening of the film “Harmony: Healing Together.” As the curtains closed on the International Arts Performance: A Visual Symphony for Mental Health event, the profound impact of art in fostering mental health awareness reverberated throughout the venue.
Author: Relung Fajar Sukmawati
Editor: Agung Nugroho