{"id":6199,"date":"2025-05-27T11:18:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-27T11:18:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/?p=6199"},"modified":"2025-05-29T11:42:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T11:42:25","slug":"3rd-art-and-mental-health-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/3rd-art-and-mental-health-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"3rd Art and Mental Health Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival<\/span><\/p>\n

LaLiBay Resort & Spa, Aegina | 22\u201324 May 2025<\/b><\/p>\n

Greek Carers Network EPIONI successfully hosted the 3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival on the island of Aegina, from 22 to 24 May 2025, under the auspices of the Region of Attica, the Municipality of Aegina, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association and the Greek Patients Association.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Coinciding with European Mental Health Week, the festival gathered mental health professionals, artists, carers, academics, and community members to explore how artistic expression fosters psychological resilience and social inclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sponsors were Saronic Ferries and the supermarkets KRITIKOS.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival took place alongside the meetings of the\u00a0 projects <\/span>\u201cCare the Carer\u201d, \u201cSharE4Elderly\u201d<\/b> and <\/span>\u201cHealthy Lifestyles for Europe.\u201d <\/b>\u00a0which were co funded by the EU.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thursday 22 May 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival opened with welcoming remarks by Elsa Dimopoulou, psychologist and representative of the Region of Attica, who reflected on the profound impact of art on self-discovery. Sofia Chatzina, Public Health Supervisor of the Municipality of Aegina, offered her support, followed by Kadri Soova, Director of Mental Health Europe, who emphasized the significance of transnational collaboration in mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maria Metaxaki<\/b>, mental health counselor and doctor of musical arts, introduced the therapeutic method of receptive music therapy using Music and Imagery (MI), drawing on her work with the Greek National Opera. Her session offered attendees an immersive experience into how sound and imagination can access deep emotional states.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was followed by <\/span>Panagiota Liaramantza<\/b>, a nutritionist and dance therapist, who led the interactive workshop \u201cEmotions in Motion.\u201d Participants engaged in body-centered movement designed to awaken inner awareness and release emotional tension through dance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later in the afternoon,<\/span> Barbara Kondilis<\/b>, mental health counselor and educator, conducted a hybrid workshop on street art and mindfulness. Through guided graffiti and reflection, she connected artistic freedom to grounding and mental presence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Friday 23 May 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

The second day began with greetings from EPIONI\u2019s Fokion Dimitriadis, followed by the vice mayor of Sports of Aegina Mr Vasilios Zampelis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veronika V\u0161et\u00ed\u010dkov\u00e1<\/b>, Head of EU Affairs at ELPA (European Liver Patients’ Association), also addressed the audience, highlighting the importance of integrating liver health advocacy into broader mental health efforts\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alina Chebes<\/b>, policy advisor from EuropeActive, presented the project Healthy Lifestyles for Europe (HL4EU), advocating cross-sectoral partnerships to promote physical activity and mental wellness. Iulia Halangescu from the European Network for Holistic Integration introduced the project Care the Carer, which focuses on empowering family caregivers and raising awareness to combat stigma.<\/span><\/p>\n

Representatives from the Medical University of \u0141\u00f3d\u017a, including Professor <\/span>Anna Lipert<\/b> and project manager <\/span>Anna Krzy\u017ca\u0144ska-Chybowska<\/b>, shared examples of best practices in public health interventions, preventive medicine, and pedagogical strategies to support mental and physical wellbeing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. <\/span>Angeliki Tsapanou<\/b>, clinical neuropsychologist and associate professor at the University of Patras, explored psychosocial interventions in dementia care, emphasizing how art facilitates memory retrieval and emotional connectivity for patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a more symbolic presentation, <\/span>Dimitra Stefanopoulou<\/b> of EUFAMI analyzed the artwork of Edvard Munch to illustrate the links between emotional suffering and artistic legacy. Nina S\u00f8nderberg, psychotherapist and co-founder of Nordic Wellbeing Academy, followed with a presentation on guided creativity for self-love and therapeutic co-creation in emotion-focused therapy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Later, <\/span>Maria Eliades <\/b>and <\/span>Anna Bechraki<\/b> from PEPSAEE described the first year of operation at the \u201cEn-Techni Psyhi\u201d Day Centre, showcasing the restorative function of art in structured psychosocial rehabilitation. Their presentation was followed by<\/span> Filippa Drivala<\/b> and <\/span>Myrto Ntova<\/b>, who presented the work of the Heliotropio Day Centre in Athens and its collaborative ceramic therapy projects, including contributions from potter <\/span>Vasileios Goumas<\/b> and sculptor <\/span>Evangelos Karkanis<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In parallel, the psychologist <\/span>Dimitris Begioglou<\/b> conducted a powerful Playback Theatre workshop, transforming personal stories into collective theatrical expression through improvisation. Participants also joined the PEPSAEE Theatre Group for a physical theatre workshop titled \u201cMeet Me on Stage,\u201d designed to bridge individual self-expression and group cohesion.<\/span><\/p>\n

An art therapy session titled \u201cThe Paintings Change\u201d was led by <\/span>Despina Papaioannou <\/b>and <\/span>Aggeliki Tsiaxiri<\/b> from the Society for Social Psychiatry P. Sakelaropoulos, inviting participants to explore transformation through imagery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Georgia Achilleopoulou<\/b>, a vocal coach and PhD candidate, then guided an experiential session on breathing and physiovocal integration, helping participants connect voice, breath, and emotional release.<\/span><\/p>\n

The day closed with a sunset concert performed by the Estoudiantina of Aegina, conducted by <\/span>Alexandros Spitzing<\/b>. This multisensory experience blended traditional melodies and community connection, leaving attendees with a sense of harmony and renewal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n

Saturday 24 May 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s sessions began with opening messages from Mrs <\/span>Kadri Soova<\/b> from Mental Health Europe, Mr <\/span>Lars Munter<\/b> from the Nordic Wellbeing Academy, Dr. <\/span>Valter Fonseca<\/b> of WHO office in Greece, and <\/span>Fokion Dimitriadis<\/b> of EPIONI, affirming a shared commitment to dignity and equity in mental health policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Psychologist <\/span>Eftychia Nikolopoulou<\/b> and social worker <\/span>Eleni Alexandridi<\/b> presented the work of the Thalpos Mental Health Day Centre and the integration of arts therapies in structured clinical settings. This was followed by <\/span>Panagiota Mylona<\/b>, nurse at Alzheimer Athens, who explored how painting and music evoke memories and connection in people with dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Maria Papagianni<\/b> and <\/span>Eirini Vamvakari<\/b>, representing the same organization, discussed psychosocial interventions through theatrical expression, aimed at individuals with dementia and their caregivers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aphroditi Pantagoutsou<\/b> and <\/span>Nancy Antoniadou<\/b> delivered a joint presentation on the current landscape of art psychotherapy and facilitated an interactive art session titled \u201cPaint Your Name,\u201d helping participants engage with self-perception through visual media.<\/span><\/p>\n

Christiana Adamopoulou, Konstantina Kostastari,<\/b> and <\/span>Eleni Tsolka<\/b> then led a group music therapy workshop using voice, rhythm, and RoMI methods, followed by a musical interlude featuring <\/span>Manolis Skoulas<\/b> and <\/span>Eleni Papaki<\/b> performing Greek and international ballads.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the afternoon, photojournalist Mrs <\/span>Maro Kouri<\/b> facilitated a powerful photography workshop called \u201cThe Healing Click of the Heart,\u201d inspiring participants to remain present through the lens of artistic vision.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. <\/span>Konstantina Kontopoulou<\/b> presented her personal photo exhibition, <\/span>Dementia Diaries<\/span><\/i>, offering a poignant visual narrative that intertwines her experience as an informal caregiver with broader themes of memory, identity, and emotional connection.<\/span><\/p>\n

The theme of education and global health continued with <\/span>Theodora Kokkinou<\/b> and Professor Evanthia Sakellari, who presented the eMAMA project\u2014an EU initiative aimed at developing postgraduate training on maternal mental health in sub-Saharan Africa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, <\/span>Nadia Kavoulakou <\/b>and <\/span>Ermioni Dova<\/b> introduced the therapeutic clowning method \u201cAngel Clown,\u201d which they elaborated upon both in a lecture and a hands-on workshop. They demonstrated how clowning techniques can build emotional bridges and resilience in vulnerable populations.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a deeply moving moment of the day, psychotherapist <\/span>Dionysia Giannopoulou<\/b> presented her autobiographical book <\/span>\u201cBlooming: A Psychotherapist\u2019s Journey from Cancer to Healing\u201d<\/span><\/i>, recounting her personal path through illness, vulnerability, and recovery, where art played a central role in her transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The festival concluded with an evocative talk by psychiatrist and dramatherapist <\/span>Stelios Krasanakis<\/b> on cultural representations of inclusion, urging communities to embrace diversity through the arts.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Participation Form for the 3rd Art and Mental Health Festival 22\u201324 May 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Agenda_Final Version<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival LaLiBay Resort & Spa, Aegina | 22\u201324 May 2025 Greek Carers Network EPIONI successfully hosted the 3rd Arts and Mental Health Festival on the island of Aegina, from 22 to 24 May 2025, under the auspices of the Region of Attica, the Municipality of Aegina, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health","category-uncategorized","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6199"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6712,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6199\/revisions\/6712"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}