Art therapy to help victims cope better

Srinakharinwirot University and its partners are offering art therapy for people suffering from the severe flooding. 

“People are shocked, scared and worried,” Asst Prof Sineenart Laedpriwan, dean of the university’s Faculty of Fine Arts, said yesterday. 

Srinakharinwirot University has launched its More Help, More Hope project to rehabilitate flood victims’ mental health in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of Consumer Protection Board, Toyota Motor Thailand and Unesco Thailand.

 

Implemented in Rajamangala

The project is initially being implemented at the Rajamangala National Stadium evacuation centre, before it expands to other shelters later. 

According to Sineenart, lecturers, students, alumni and staff, as well as local and foreign volunteers, have been contributing to the project by engaging flood victims in constructive activities such as drawing, T-shirt painting, dancing and various other forms of recreation. 

“We have divided the flood victims [at the stadium] into three groups,” Sineenart disclosed, adding that the first group comprised those said to be clinically depressed. She added that without proper attention and care, these people might end up hurting themselves or others. “For this group, we offer art therapy and counselling,” she explained. 

The second group comprises people who are worried but not clinically depressed. “We have organised performances to keep their minds off their worries,” Sineenart said 

The third group is made up of people worried about the future and loss of income. 

She said surveys would be conducted to determine the livelihoods lost and attempts will be made to find alternative jobs so those affected could start their lives over again once the floods end. 

“We will organise vocational training courses in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister,” she said. 

The More Help More Hope project will also put artistic creations by children affected by the floods on the market, and all proceeds will go directly to the young creators or to charity. 

“There will be no price tags, people can give what they want for the stuff. Also, there will be greeting cards for the upcoming holiday season,” she said. 

These will be available at many banks and airports, including Suvarnabhumi.