Community arts and cultural resources may be part of the solution, mobilized in the face of tragedy to help survivors heal. While traditional mental health care is critical, it is also clear that, in times of crisis, people often seek out the arts and creative practices.

“By using different art processes—drawing, painting and ceramics, for example—you can better understand and dive more deeply into your thoughts and feelings,”

Making art can be a fun and satisfying endeavor. But for people with cancer, it can also be a therapeutic tool of empowerment for getting through the rigors of medical treatment.

Research into art therapy has shown that creative activities can have significant therapeutic benefits for individuals coping with illness, particularly cancer.