Melanie C: Creativity and mental health

In March this year, the World Health Organization announced research findings that the Covid-19 pandemic had triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.

We ask how does the act of making art help creatives around the world address personal psychological challenges? And we celebrating art’s ability to inspire and soothe anyone - artist or not - who might be experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Spice Girl Melanie C opens up about how at the height of her fame she was dealing with depression and an eating disorder and tells us how she worked to overcome these challenges.

Nigerian artist Jonathan Chambalin explains how making art helped him through the anxiety of lockdown.

Singaporean landscape photographer Xuan Hui Ng describes how capturing nature enabled her to overcome a downward spiral of grief.

And American Gen Z cultural journalist Alexis Oatman on how millions of Americans are responding to career burnout, including Beyoncé.

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(Photo: Melanie C. Credit: Matt Holyoak)