SAMHSA Announces Art of Recovery Project, Highlighting the Role of Artistic Creativity in Mental Health and Addiction Recovery

Today, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is launching the 2024 Art of Recovery Project. This initiative highlights the impact of art on mental health and addiction recovery, showing how creative expression can serve as a pathway to comfort, healing and empowerment. The project is seeking submissions, including artwork and a brief description of the artist’s inspiration, from artists who have lived or experienced recovery.

“We invite people with lived experience to submit photographs, paintings, drawings or mixed media artwork that is meaningful to them and their journey,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph .D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substances. Use and the leader of SAMHSA. “While the creative process has long been recognized as a therapeutic tool, it can also be used to inspire others. The Art of Recovery project aims to elevate the voices of people with lived experience and illustrate the possibilities for recovery, hope and healing.

Applications are open from May 7 to June 28, with categories for youth ages 13 to 17 and adults ages 18 and older. Artists can submit their application in two categories: painting, drawing or mixed media and photography.

Selected applications will be published on the SAMHSA website as part of an online exhibition, Gallery of Hope: Artistic Expressions of Recovery Across the Country. The online gallery will launch in September and run throughout the month in celebration of National Recovery Month.

Up to 150 youth applications and 350 adult applications will be published in the virtual gallery. Artists can submit an artwork along with a brief description of the inspiration behind the artwork. Entries will be reviewed based on their originality, creativity, and how the entry expresses the theme.

In 2023, SAMHSA released Recovery from substance use and mental health problems among adults in the United Statesindicating that more than 70% of people (over 50 million) who had ever identified a mental health and/or substance use problem were in recovery.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get help for mental health, drug or alcohol problems, visit FindSupport.gov. If you are ready to locate a treatment facility or provider, you can go directly to FindTreatment.gov or call 800-662-HELP (4357).