Usage of Painting Art Therapy in Mental Health Education of Chinese College Students

Abstract

This study investigates the usage of painting art therapy in the psychological survey, screening, psychological consultation, psychological crisis intervention and treatment of specific psychological problems, among others, of college students. It also delves into the application status and advantages of painting art therapy in the mental health education of college students for the promotion and application of painting art therapy in China. An online search for related literature on painting art therapy in PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO database and China Academic Journals was conducted using the keywords ‘art therapy’, ‘painting’, ‘emotion’, ‘psychological survey’, ‘psychological screening’, ‘psychological consultation’ and ‘crisis intervention’, which were searched individually or in combination. A total of 25 articles were cited for review. Painting art therapy was found to be widely used in all aspects of college students’ mental health education. It has a high degree of acceptance, has the unique advantages of non-verbal therapy and is very effective. Educators should use painting art therapy not only for addressing the mental health of students but also apply this therapy to other areas of Education Psychology.

Keywords:  college student; mental health education; art painting therapy; psychological; intervention