One of the most visited places during the Oman National Day holidays a couple of months ago was Oman Across Ages Museum, located in Manah, about a 15-minute drive from the city of Nizwa.
Its popularity is a very good sign because research is now suggesting that museums not only show us our past but are also effective in ensuring mental health.
According to the World Health Organization, more than 20 per cent of children suffer from mental health issues worldwide. This is manifested in short attention span, depression and anxiety.
Research now suggests that visits to museums can contribute to alleviating the stress that children face on an everyday basis.
The quiet and inspiring nature of museums is what primarily makes it a place of possibilities. They are essential de-stressing environments where the audience is left alone to ponder over whatever interests them, leading to new ideas and new ways of looking at the past and future.
Museum Next, a portal of some of the world’s most popular museums, points to a study which concluded that engaging with artwork and artifacts in museums positively impacted children who were undergoing mental distress as it made them feel like they were part of a community and could be diverted into creative work that made them feel fulfilled.
According to Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund which is a national charity in the United Kingdom, museums are more than quiet physical spaces. In fact, “studies show that these are spaces where you can discuss major societal issues in a neutral space and open up ideas, inviting you to explore and promote a sense of wellbeing”.
Studies also show that engaging with art like painting, sculpture and even music and theatre is therapeutic.
Young adults often see themselves in these pieces, inspiring them to discover themselves. This is empowering and powerful for the individual. The sight of a child staring at an ancient piece of art or history evokes a world of possibilities – who knows what the child is thinking.
Beyond the individual level, museums also form communities. Festivals, public exhibitions and talks relating to them bring people together, forming communities with shared interests and passions. This kind of social life brings meaning, purpose and inspiration that can be self-sustaining.
For all this to be possible, museums need to be engaging and aware of their role in promoting the health and happiness of entire communities, especially children. There are some common strategies used worldwide to make museums attractive places to visit.
These include using interactive techniques, having activities for children and young adults to be engaged with the items on display, creating spaces for children’s creative pieces to be displayed and having engaging guides to make a visit fun and purposeful, not only educational.
Today, museums have brushed off their old reputations of being dusty buildings with artifacts of the past. They are places of ideas, inspiration, community building and hope. Recognising the true value of museums will go a long way in promoting mental health.
Sandhya Rao Mehta is Associate Professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, Sultan Qaboos University.
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