Something very exciting is happening in Greece! A new and innovative health care program is being piloted here at the moment, officially titled “Cultural Prescription as Complementary Care in Mental Health”. This pilot project is led by the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Health and involves approved, encouraged and literally prescribed patients’ visits to places such as the National Theatre, the Athens State Orchestra, the National Opera and other cultural venues.
The progressively minded, social project is not only aimed at psychiatric prescription, but aims to include the involvement of all health care professionals in this ‘out of the box’, patient well-being focus.
The ethos behind “Cultural Prescribing” is that attendance at theatrical plays, concerts and museums for example, enhance people’s mental health. Such outings have been proven to reduce depression, anxiety, stress – including ‘burnout’, and social isolation.
Similar programs have been trialed in other European cities whereby studies have shown success, with reported overall reduction in emotional distress; part of which is due to improved and enhanced social interaction. This focus is on a more holistic health approach that enhances, improves and complements traditional psychotherapy, even reducing the frequency of appointments.
Forerunners to Greece’s pilot ‘Cultural Prescription’ include Brussels, and Neuchâtel in Switzerland which additionally includes free entry to botanical gardens. Also, and for several years now, the United Kingdom’sNational Health Service has incorporated the program “museums on prescription” within its social care incentives.
The United States too, have such a program, under the auspices of the Art Pharmacy founded in 2022. It aims to respond to mental health problems addressing social issues like loneliness, for example which is identified as a ‘crisis’ within itself. It essentially connects people to community-based activities. This has led to the ‘Mass Cultural Council’ which has launched a multi-USA state, cultural prescribing program.
‘Cultural Prescriptions’ programs work side by side with traditional medical therapies and add a much-needed focus on holistic health care. What is most heartening though, is that the implementation of such a new, health care approach such as cultural activity referring or “prescribing”, is being institutionalised within Greece’s mainstream health care system. Perhaps Australia will follow…