Is AoP Worth the Investment?

The Baltic Sea Region is experiencing an increase in mental health challenges. Factors such as social isolation and loneliness are contributing to a decline in mental health across all age-groups, creating a state of permacrisis.

The burden of mental illness is generating intense pressure on already heavily burdened healthcare systems. Primary care services are experiencing an increase in consultations due to loneliness and social isolation, which, while not medical conditions themselves, can lead to poor health outcomes. With no other services to aid lonely and isolated persons, general practitioners (GPs) are often the first point of contact for help and support.

Photo: Lelde Goba

Given limited resources policymakers and decision-makers seek new innovative approaches to address the ever-increasing demand on primary and secondary healthcare services and to meet the growing needs of different population groups. One such innovative approach is Arts on Prescription (AoP), which can reduce the burden on primary healthcare services, by offering AoP as a community-based inclusive programme for those at risk of developing or experiencing mental health issues.

Local administration needs to invest in such programmes to promote community mental health and social wellbeing, thereby, creating resilient communities. Establishing AoP programmes requires cross-sectoral collaboration between the health and culture sectors. System thinking needs to be applied to advance capacity for cross-sector collaboration at local level. Local administrations need to drive this agenda, direct the process and commit to investing in AoP programmes.

Is it worth investing in AoP programmes?
The short answer is Yes!

There is an increasing amount of evidence indicating that cultural and artistic interventions are effective when it comes to health promotion and prevention, as they improve participants’ physical and mental health. Evidence suggests the culture sector substantially contributes to public health and wellbeing, as well as promoting social belonging.

Please read the Arts on Prescription brochure to learn more about investing in AoP programmes. You can also find a selection of literature here.

Furthermore, the National Institute for Public Health at the University of Southern Denmark is conducting a cost-benefit analysis of the projects AoP piloting programmes. Follow AoP in the Baltic Sea Region and read the analysis results as soon as they become available.

Arts and culture interventions such as AoP programmes can potentially:

Improve the mental wellbeing of the participants. Participants in AoP programmes have stated that participating has increased their self-esteem and energy levels, which has helped them to return to work or their educational studies.
Prevent mental health problems. AoP programmes can prevent mental health issues, as well as prevent mental health issues progressing in severity.
Provides a non-medical approach to mental health care. Some persons may find AoP programmes more appealing than traditional mental health treatment. It is also possible to combine AoP programmes to conventional mental health treatment to provide a more comprehensive approach. As AoP programmes offer a non-pharmacological mental health approach, it may help to destigmatize mental illness.
Reduce the burden on healthcare systems. AoP programmes have been proven to alleviate primary care services, by reducing visits to general practitioners. Read about AoP and reduction in GP visits HERE.
Substantially contributes to social wellbeing. Although there is much focus on AoP programmes and mental health issues, it is also important to acknowledge AoP programmes’ role in promoting social wellbeing. Loneliness is a growing public health concern.
AoP programmes can contribute to reducing loneliness by providing culture and arts activities, where participants engage creatively, through social interactions with others within their local communities. By encouraging participation in cultural and artistic activities, AoP programmes can enhances ones’ quality of life, foster a sense of belonging, and empower individuals to be active in a meaningful way.
Lead to economic efficiency: AoP programmes tend to be cost- effective, as they do not require clinically trained persons, and many communities have already local resources available to establish an AoP programme. Read the UK’s social prescribing economic impact HERE. There will also be a link to assessing AoP cost effectiveness methodology based on AoPBSR project in 2025 and other relevant links.
Establish a mutually beneficial relationship between the health and cultural sectors. AoP programmes can alleviate healthcare systems by utilizing resources within the cultural sector to promote mental health and wellbeing. For example, engagement incultural activities such as making and listening to music, dancing, art and visiting cultural sites are all associated with stress management and prevention, including lower levels of biological stress in daily life and lower daily anxiety levels.
Simultaneously, incorporating health promotion programmes into the culture sector introduces new target audiences to culture and the arts, such as persons who may have no previous interest or knowledge of the arts. Additionally, increased recognition of the role of the arts in health can influence policies to support and finance arts and cultural activities in the communities and so broaden the professional horizons for the professional artists and cultural facilitators.

Last modified
23 May 2025

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Advantages of integrating Arts on Prescription with conventional mental health services?

AoP and conventional mental health services