In the thesis I explore what creativity is, I look for connections between creativity and mental health in the context of social work. The theoretical part of the thesis presents different views and theories of creativity, and the process of creativity, to which some definitions attach more importance than the result of the creative process. Further, I present associations and organizations that implement creative programmes for people with mental health difficulties in day centres and offer opportunities for creation and creative workshops for users.
In the empirical part, I present data obtained from the two-year follow-up of a case study and from interviews with users of creative workshops in day centres for people with mental health distress. I explore the possibilities and meaning of working in creative workshops, the users' experience of creative workshops, what they produce there, and what impact these activities have on the users' everyday life. According to the users, the time spent at creative workshops is of better quality, it gives them a sense of usefulness, they develop or revive skills and qualities that they had suppressed or did not know they possessed, they make new friendships, and continued participation in the workshops helps to establish order in their everyday life and a sense of belonging and acceptance.
|
