{"id":7832,"date":"2026-05-09T10:33:36","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/?p=7832"},"modified":"2026-08-06T08:44:31","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T08:44:31","slug":"the-4th-art-mental-health-festival-is-coming-to-aegina-organised-by-the-greek-carers-network-epioni-%c2%b7-may-21-24-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/the-4th-art-mental-health-festival-is-coming-to-aegina-organised-by-the-greek-carers-network-epioni-%c2%b7-may-21-24-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"4th Festival “Art and Mental Health” in Aegina: A “Bridge of Therapy and Art”"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Art and Mental Health Festival Agenda\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

The proceedings of the <\/span>4th Festival “Art and Mental Health”<\/span><\/b> concluded with absolute success, taking place from May 21 to May 24, 2026, on the island of Aegina<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Organized for the fourth consecutive year by the <\/span>Greek Carers Network EPIONI<\/span><\/b>, the festival successfully achieved its goal of transforming the island into a creative “Bridge of Therapy and Art”<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>The diverse events and workshops were hosted at the LaLiBay Resort & Spa, the Capralos Museum, and the Historical and Folklore Museum of the Municipality of Aegina<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

International Support and the Role of Arts in Well-being<\/h3>\n

The opening of this year’s event was honored with greetings from Ms. Elsa Dimopoulou on behalf of the Deputy Governor of Attica, Mr. Thanos Askitis <\/span><\/span>, the Deputy Mayor of Culture of the Municipality of Aegina, Mr. Michalis Spyridakis <\/span><\/span>, and the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Athens<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Representatives of the Organization, including Jennifer Hall and Dr. Anastasia Giannaki, actively participated by presenting scientific data on the therapeutic value of the arts in improving health and mental resilience<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>At the same time, executives from the <\/span>Nordic Wellbeing Academy<\/span><\/i> (Nina S\u00f8nderberg, Lars M\u00fcnter) developed innovative approaches regarding creative thinking in political leadership and the use of journaling as a gentle path to recovery<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Art as an Antidote to Trauma: The “TRUST Art Therapy” Program<\/h3>\n

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At the center of attention was the pioneering program <\/span>“TRUST Art Therapy”<\/span><\/b><\/span>. <\/span>The festival welcomed with deep emotion thirty participants from Ukraine who are experiencing the trauma of war<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Through specialized workshops in <\/span>ECO ART THERAPY<\/span><\/i>, collage, and writing, the participants utilized the natural environment of Aegina as a field for psychological healing<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>Furthermore, the public had the opportunity to watch a moving participatory video-poetry performance by the Ukrainian team<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pathways to Recovery and World Schizophrenia Day<\/h3>\n

The exchange of experiences and the effort to eliminate stigma were strengthened through European projects:<\/p>\n

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    “Pathways to Recovery” (Erasmus+):<\/span><\/b> Mental health service users and their families from Sweden, Portugal, and Greece came together to share lived experiences that promote recovery and social integration<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    “MENTAL-CARE” (Erasmus+):<\/span><\/b> The final day of the festival (May 24) coincided with World Schizophrenia Day<\/span><\/span>. <\/span>On this occasion, a special workshop was held focusing on the value of meaningful communication between users, health professionals, and informal carers<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Rich Cultural and Experiential Activities<\/h3>\n

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    The four-day program included a wide range of artistic and therapeutic activities:<\/p>\n

    Theatrical and Musical Performances:<\/span><\/b> The audience enjoyed the theatrical performance “A Crazy, Crazy Athens” by the PESOPSY Families Association <\/span><\/span>, as well as an atmospheric Sunset Music Concert by the Estudiantina of Aegina<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n