OCD, anxiety, substance abuse: How art can heal mental illness | Freethink

Can creativity solve our mental health crisis? Subscribe to Freethink on YouTube ►► https://freeth.ink/youtube-subscribe Up next ►► Wilderness therapy: A path to healing for veterans    • Wilderness Therapy: A Path to Healing for ...   Jeff Sparr was a 20-year-old star player on the Ohio State University men’s tennis team when his mental health issues first flared up. The anxiety was so intense that it landed Sparr in a psychiatric hospital where he was quickly diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Years later, Sparr was driving home from work one day when a friend called him and mentioned that many people suffering from mental wellness issues find solace in artistic expression, specifically painting. Jeff decided to take a detour home and stock up on paint supplies in search for one last solution that may bring him peace of mind. The results of painting were so profound that it inspired Jeff to formalize the practice to help others also struggling with mental illness. PeaceLove, a non-profit that fosters mental wellness through art and creativity, was founded. The foundation has been successfully spreading the gospel of expressive arts for 12 years now. Read the full story here ►►https://www.freethink.com/series/cata... This video was created in partnership with Stand Together. ◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠ Read more of our stories on mental health: Should police respond to mental health crises? ►► https://www.freethink.com/social-chan... Architects design new mental health facilities with healing in mind ►► https://www.freethink.com/health/neur... The rise of virtual therapy ►► https://www.freethink.com/ftm_episode... ◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠◠ About Freethink No politics, no gossip, no cynics. At Freethink, we believe the daily news should inspire people to build a better world. While most media is fueled by toxic politics and negativity, we focus on solutions: the smartest people, the biggest ideas, and the most ground breaking technology shaping our future. ◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡◡ Watch our original series: ► Hard Reset: https://freeth.ink/youtube-hard-reset ► Just Might Work: https://freeth.ink/youtube-just-might... ► Challengers: https://freeth.ink/youtube-challengers Enjoy Freethink on your favorite platforms: ► Daily editorial features: http://www.freethink.com​ ► Solutions-based stories, straight to your inbox: https://www.freethink.com/subscribe ► Facebook:   / freethinkmedia​   ► Instagram:   / freethink​   ► Twitter:   / freethinkmedia​   ► Join the Freethink form:   / freethinkforum