Creative First Aid: The science and joy of creativity for mental health

You don't have to be good at art for art to be good for you.

Being creative is good for us: it lowers our stress hormones, calms our nervous system and can get us into a flow state. Our innate creativity is part of being human, but it's easy to forget, especially since many of us have been told that we are 'no good' at art.

At a time when mental health challenges are on the rise and support systems are stretched, Creative First Aid is your practical guide to taking matters into your own hands, literally. It's about the proven positive effects of making something – a garden, a story, a meal, a drawing – and the powerful interaction this process can have on your mental, emotional and physical state. It's about being curious, playful, creative and full of self-compassion – even more so when life gets messy.

Based on scientific evidence and a program shown to improve mental wellbeing for first responders and traumatized communities, this inspiring book empowers you with awareness and simple creative tools that can open a door to experiencing delight, awe and joy each and every day. It includes stories from those who have found their way through trauma, anxiety, grief and chronic illness, as well as 50 creative prescriptions you can try, with some taking just a couple of minutes.

Creative First Aid is your roadmap for how to look after yourself on tough days, amazing days – and all the days in between.

Caitlin Marshall and Lizzie Rose are the founders of MakeShift, an award-winning agency that provides trauma-informed creativity and mental health programs for communities, workplaces and groups throughout Australia. Since 2013 they have worked with thousands of people, including first responders; communities affected by bushfires and floods; corporate clients such as Atlassian, Kimberly-Clark and Ikea; and organisations including ABC TV, Sydney Opera House, Support Act, NSW Department of Juvenile Justice, Creative Australia and Black Dog Institute. Caitlin is also a qualified social worker and trainer in vicarious trauma management and gender-based violence who has had one foot in the creative arts since adolescence. Lizzie is a community development practitioner, sustainability educator and qualified yoga teacher. Find them at makeshift.org.au or on Instagram at @makeshift_creative.first.aid.