Creativity is that characteristic of human behaviour that seems the most mysterious and yet the most critical to human advancement. Most creativity research looks at thinking, creative development across life span and creativity in the social environment. The proven benefits of creativity to wellbeing and productivity have been heavily documented.

The Current Climate

• Depression is a leading cause of non-fatal disability and currently over one million adults live with depression-related disorders.
• Absenteeism due to depression accounts for around six million working days lost each year.
• Depression is estimated to reduce workers performance by at least 40 per cent.
• For the Australian workforce as a whole, this equates to around 30 million working days per year with reduced productivity, at a cost to employers of approximately $10.11 billion a year.
• The national cost of staff turnover to organisations is estimated in the order of $100 billion annually (AHRI)
• Increasing chronic ill health (mental illness, obesity, diabetes etc.) is leading to lower employee engagement and retention.

Case Studies

In Australia, ‘The Song Room’ is revealing major benefits for children and communities including:

• Improved self esteem and communication skills
• Greater sense of connection
• Reduced absenteeism
• Improved academic results

'The Choir of Hard Knocks' has also enjoyed immense success nationally and transformed lives.

Arts vs Sport

There is also strong evidence that the arts are perceived as less important than sport, and there are enormous gaps in opportunities for creative leadership and participation in Australia. Being a sports-mad nation, Australia is yet to fully appreciate the value of creativity and the long term health, economic and social benefits in encouraging participation in innovative creative programs.

International Research

The first major European survey on the effect of singing on physical and mental wellbeing showed:

• Singing in harmony with others, such as in a choir or in parts, is particularly beneficial. This leads to increased happiness as well as reduced stress levels;
• Singing in unison also helps people cope with and recover from mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia.
• Singing therapy is now being used to treat people suffering from dementia and stroke; even if you lose the ability to speak as the result of a stroke, it doesn’t necessarily interfere with your ability to sing.

Numerous international research studies also demonstrate the health benefits of Recreational Music-Making. These include:

• Strengthening the Immune System
• Improving mood states and reducing burnout
• Retaining Students- mood Improvement and burnout reduction
• Reversing Stress on the Genomic level
  

 

References:

Professor Stephen Clift, of the Sidney de Haan Research Centre for Arts and Health at Canterbury Christchurch University in the UK 2006
Recreational Music-Making: A Cost-Effective Group
Interdisciplinary Strategy for Reducing Burnout and Improving Mood States in Long-Term Care Workers 2003