Older people who participated in an across-the-generations arts programme in Co Sligo experienced less illness as a result, according to research released yesterday.
The research was unveiled alongside a five-year strategic plan for arts and health, which was launched by Minister of State for Health Jimmy Devins on behalf of Sligo County Council's arts service.
A study of arts and health projects in Co Sligo found that after participating in an intergenerational arts programme, children who tended to be aggressive quarrelled less, while reserved children "blossomed".
Researchers also found that the self esteem and social skills of participants in mental health arts programmes improved significantly.
County arts officer Mary McAuliffe said the five-year plan was designed to build on the success of existing projects.
One of these was an intergenerational arts project at St Patrick's national school, Maugherow, north Sligo, in which children interacted with older people.
"The self esteem and confidence of the children grew, they learned a lot about their community from the older people and the old people had the satisfaction of knowing they were making a contribution to the community," said principal Joe Leonard, a local Fine Gael councillor.
The research found that the older participants had a stronger sense of personal and community identity, had more opportunities for social engagement, were better able to relax, and suffered less illness than they had before joining the project.
Mr Devins said he welcomed the concept of using art "in a positive mental health fashion". "Not many people associate art with health, but the existing projects show the benefits," he said.
Under the new five-year strategy, an arts and health office will be established following the appointment of a development officer in 2008. The Health Service Executive will also establish an arts and health partnership specifically for Co Sligo.
