Georgia legislature first in nation to link arts and mental health

This is an excerpt from the SuportaReport, an Atlanta based civic news organization

Georgia is the first state in the nation to pass a statewide legislative measure linking the arts to improved mental health outcomes.

Emerging out of Healing Arts Atlanta -part of a global campaign by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the World Health Organization - the effort was led by State Rep and Marcel Foster, CEO and co-founder of Performance Hypothesis. HR 1007 is a result of several years of focus.

Usually, Georgia ranks at the bottom when it comes to per-capita funding for the arts – an embarrassing fact for a state that enjoys promoting itself as a hub for the creative economy.

Yet House Resolution 1007 was passed during this legislative session with bipartisan support. It was co-sponsored by three House Democrats (Kim Schofield, D-Atlanta/College Park; Mary Margaret Oliver D- Decatur; and Lydia Glaize D-Fairburn) and three House Republicans (Todd Jones, R-South Forsyth; Katie Dempsey R-Rome; and Angie O’Steen R-Ambrose). The resolution stated: “the essential role of artists, arts organizations, art therapists, and arts for health initiatives in supporting recovery from trauma, addressing mental health concerns and conditions, building community resilience and increasing public safety.” As a resolution, there was no provision for appropriation of funds or implementing a tangible program.

But Alex Rodriguez, a research associate from the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine, celebrated Georgia’s move.

“The resolution… now stands as the first statewide legislative measure in the United States explicitly centered on leveraging the arts to address mental health,” Rodriguez said in a blog post. “Georgia’s move may seem minor, but it signals an important shift in how policymakers are beginning to consider arts engagement as a legitimate public health strategy rather than an add-on.”

Rodriguez went on to say the future policy implications are compelling.

“The resolution in itself immediately establishes a legislative measure while also building the foundation for future funding and appropriations,” she said.

…The core partners included BLKHLTH (Khadijah Ameen), the Carter Center (Sarah Phillips), the Woodruff Arts Center – including the Atlanta Symphony (Erin Jones) and the Alliance Theatre (Chris Moses) as well as artists and mental health advocates. South Arts (Doug Shipman) and others.

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