This is an ABC podcast.

In this very beautiful and elegant still life,

it reminds us of the cycle of life.

These fresh flowers, which are so perfect,

with a few just starting to wilt.

And the fruit here prime and fresh will be like this but not forever.

And so we're here in a moment in time where we smell the freshness.

We can feel the life in these organic materials that really give us sustenance and joy

for our body, for our senses, and for our mind.

One participant said, after last week's session, I sang in the car on the way home.

I can't remember the last time I did that.

And I just think that really speaks to quite a powerful impact in terms of thinking about mood.

Another person said, the Arts on Prescription Program kick-started me out of a dark place.

Another, I can get through Monday and Tuesday because I have art on Wednesday.

It really connected people with each other and a sense of belonging, a sense of engaging

with art and in discussing mental health issues in a very non-stigmatizing setting.

Hi, it's all in the mind on RN. I'm Lynne Malcolm.

And today, discovering what a regular dose of art can do for your mood.

The idea of prescribing art for depression is part of a larger movement to explore non-medical approaches for some mental health

conditions. It's called social prescribing. Catherine Boydell is Professor of Mental Health at the Black

Dog Institute. The whole notion of social prescribing is really all about linking people to non-medical services in the community,

so in effect creating pathways between clinical care and non-clinical support.

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