"Art is not something you do for fun - it's imperative"

We invited Theo, a member of Project CREATE Young Persons' Advisory Group (YPAG), to share his reflections on our recent Living Lab. In this workshop, collaging was used as a creative method to express thoughts and emotions surrounding mental health and loneliness.

Loneliness is often dismissed as an individual problem, but in reality, it is a social issue that affects many, particularly teenagers.

This weekend sought to be a lifeline to this growing crisis through writing, drawing, filmmaking, photography and other artistic outlets. Teens were given the space to express themselves, forge connections, and ultimately combat isolation.

I joined the project for my passion for writing and filmmaking, but the weekend was primarily focused on collaging – an art form I've never particularly enjoyed. However, I left the weekend with a newfound appreciation for its liberating nature and an even deeper understanding of the importance of creative expression in tackling loneliness.

On the surface, collaging appeared to be chaotic, a cutting and pasting exercise that didn't have the narrative draw that I enjoy in writing or filmmaking. But as I got stuck into the process, I saw just how impactful it was.

Two groups were asked to make their own collages without a predetermined scene. And yet, with all that liberty, so many of the pieces of art were about mental health, identity and safe spaces.

The subconscious, it turned out, had its own way of moving our hands. Even those who didn't intend to create something highly personal had their work mirroring the inner thoughts and feelings.

Loneliness thrives in silence and spaces where people feel unseen or unheard

One of the most profound aspects of the weekend was the way creative expression fosters connection. Loneliness thrives in silence and spaces where people feel unseen or unheard.

Art, however, invites dialog even in activities and seemingly simple as collage, and we are communicating, sharing fragments of our thoughts through images, colours and textures.

Watching others work on their piece and seeing their emotions take shape in unexpected ways, reinforced my belief that the creative arts are essential for young people. They provide an avenue for self-exploration while also building a sense of community.

During a discussion with two female project leads, the conversation shifted towards toxic masculinity and the way social media forces incel connection among young men. We talked about how isolation coupled with online echo chambers can lead to harmful worldviews.

These conversations were vital to an understanding of how connection and expression can break cycles of loneliness and frustration

The discussion was eye-opening, revealing how essential it is to create spaces where young men can express vulnerability and redefine masculinity and healthier, more inclusive ways. These conversations, just like the art we were creating, were vital to an understanding of how connection and expression can break cycles of loneliness and frustration.

While I appreciated the freedom of collaging, I found myself gravitating back towards writing. To me words provide a more structured yet equally liberating form of self-expression.

The beauty of Project CREATE was that it validated all creative approaches, whether through images, film, or poetry. Every participant was encouraged to explore what felt right to them.

Creativity is not one size fits all, and that was one of my biggest takeaways. Project CREATE truly reaffirmed what I've always known, art is not something that you do for fun, it's imperative.

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