Creative endeavors are often lumped in with hobbies; something fun to do but not an essential part of life. But research shows that creative expression can actually rewire the brain, help process emotions, and even ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. If you’re the parent of a young adult that’s been looking for every possible solution to their mental health woes, you might be missing a piece of the puzzle - creativity.
Creative expressions have the unique ability to activate multiple areas of the brain all at once. When you paint, write, play music, or even doodle, you're engaging neural pathways that might otherwise be stuck in patterns of anxiety, depression, or stress. Creative outlets promote emotional regulation by allowing young adults to express what they might struggle to say out loud. For those suffering with trauma or depression, this can be especially beneficial.
Creativity enhances neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new connections that make it easier to break out of negative thought loops. It also reduces stress hormones—activities like painting, playing an instrument, or sculpting lower cortisol levels, which helps regulate the body’s stress response. Creativity is a life saver…literally.
Creative therapy is a core component of dual-diagnosis treatment programs for young adults. These holistic therapeutic approaches complement traditional methods for treating co-occurring mental health and addiction issues.
Art therapy allows young adults to process emotions that might feel too overwhelming to verbalize through painting, drawing, or sculpture. Music therapy, whether through playing an instrument or simply listening to music, can boost dopamine levels, which are often depleted in those struggling with depression or addiction. Creative writing, including journaling, poetry, or storytelling, provides a structured way to work through difficult thoughts and experiences. Drama and movement therapy, such as acting, dancing, or other forms of movement, help individuals reconnect with their bodies and emotions in a healthy way. Each of these creative outlets serves as a tool for emotional release, self-expression, and personal growth, making them an invaluable part of the recovery process.
A young adult in mental health treatment can feel trapped—trapped in their thoughts, their diagnosis, and their past mistakes. Creativity offers something invaluable: freedom. When they create, they aren’t defined by their struggles. They get to be an artist, a writer, a musician. They get to see themselves as someone who is capable of beauty, expression, and change. That shift in self-perception can be transformational.
Through creative expression, they gain a sense of control, purpose, and personal achievement. This newfound sense of identity and self-worth plays a crucial role in their healing journey, reinforcing the idea that they are more than their diagnosis and that their future holds limitless possibilities.
If you know a young adult who is struggling with their mental health, creativity isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. The ability to express, process, and reframe emotions through creative outlets can make a significant difference in their healing journey. So, the next time your child picks up a paintbrush or starts scribbling in a notebook, recognize it for what it is: not just art, but a step toward recovery.