Creative First Aid: The science and joy of creativity for mental health

by Caitlin Marshall, Lizzie Rose

You don't have to be good at art for art to be good for you.

Being creative is good for it lowers our stress hormones, calms our nervous system and can get us into a flow state. Our innate creativity is part of being human, but it's easy to forget, especially since many of us have been told that we are 'no good' at art.

At a time when mental health challenges are on the rise and support systems are stretched, Creative First Aid is your practical guide to taking matters into your own hands, literally. It's about the proven positive effects of making something – a garden, a story, a meal, a drawing – and the powerful interaction this process can have on your mental, emotional and physical state. It's about being curious, playful, creative and full of self-compassion – even more so when life gets messy.

Based on scientific evidence and a program shown to improve mental wellbeing for first responders and traumatised communities, this inspiring book empowers you with awareness and simple creative tools that can open a door to experiencing delight, awe and joy each and every day. It includes stories from those who have found their way through trauma, anxiety, grief and chronic illness, as well as 50 creative prescriptions you can try, with some taking just a couple of minutes.

Creative First Aid is your roadmap for how to look after yourself on tough days, amazing days – and all the days in between.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help

272 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Olivia O'Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I savoured this book, slowly working my way through the thoughtful narrative around the authors' own mental health and context. I loved the insightful framing of our window of tolerance, and of course the many creative exercises or 'prescriptions' that are shared to help calm anxiety and ground you in the present. This book helped my husband and I find a common language to help each other check in on 'self soothing' vs 'self care' practices.

Beautifully illustrated, full of stories and lessons learnt, and downright practical. This book is one I will keep returning to, as will anyone who puts value on maintaining positive mental health.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gem! One I will keep coming back to.


It explores the way in which creativity can bring about self-compassion and curiosity, and improve our mental health and connection to self, others and nature. It provides a guide through which the reader can explore and access their own creative processes. A refreshing step away from a medical model of mental health.


The book is also full of beautiful colours and illustrations, making it a joy to just hold! But I certainly recommend reading it too :D

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Ita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much that I've reached out to the authors to see if they want to come to Tamworth for an author talk. If it all works out, I'll get to meet them in September! This book explains the science and research behind creativity for mental health and then gives you 50 'prescriptions' of creativity for you to try out. I do a lot of these things I already on a regular basis but found some new ideas. I loved the stories of people that have done workshops with the authors and all the generous artists sharing their practices for this book.

[Stasia Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

A go to book for when I need to add some sparkle to my brain

[Addie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts:
• I bought this on a whim and it's pretty cool. There's a number of activities I'll be borrowing and/or adapting for personal use and for work. This book is also very pretty and the pages are quite thick (the texture of the paper is awesome).
• Social prescribing... some food for thought! The authors push a little against the medical model of mental health but have a reasonable stance towards the role of medication, taking the view that many people find medication helpful (and necessary in some cases), but keeping in mind that individual needs differ. Creative work isn't intended to supplant psychiatric medication or psychological therapies. For many people intervention will look like both/and, not either/or.
• Creative first aid (engaging in creativity because it feels good) is not the same as art therapy (a structured intervention in a clinical setting). Creativity is defined pretty broadly in this book as 'any act that makes something that wasn't there before' (p. 32) including non-tangible things like 'connections that weren't there before.' Feels a bit nebulous, but it does open the possibility for more playful and abstract 'creative prescriptions'.
• There's a decent preamble about the rationale and benefits of creativity, then a broad selection of activities arranged according to needs (relief, recharging, restoration).

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique, inspiring book in the area of personal development. The writing personal, funny and is written like good friends having a chat. The stories of people using creative interventions to heal from trauma absolutely fascinating! Highly recommend - this is really practical, authentic and lays out such a compelling way for anyone to use the activities shared. Also some very smart insights into mental health, our social response to sickness, and the politics of healthcare. A bit of a game-changer, this one

[Caddyshack Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visually appealing book, filled with colour and illustrations that approaches trauma and mental health with creativity at its heart, with the empowering message that our innate creativity is a reliable tool, which can support wellness and connectivity. Contains fifty Relief, Recharge and Restoration ‘prescriptions’ to work with.

[Rachel White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Caitlin and Lizzie -two women authors living on Dharawal Country (where I am too)) was always something I expected to relish. And I did. It highlights that creative expression for fun is something we can all do and benefit from. It offers practical, relatable and inspiring ideas. I'm off to find my glimmer for the day - go find yours, or grab a book and a warm cuppa.

[Rachael Mogan McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, important, fun and inspiring. Creative First Aid is a joy and I hope it brings wellbeing to every reader who is lucky enough to pick it up. I'm so glad the authors wrote this book. Bravo!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sunflower Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book filled with so many tools to keep in your mental health toolkit. I now have so many practices which I can turn to depending on how I'm feeling and what I need :)