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ART4MENTAL Project Official Launch: Strengthening Mental Health Through Immersive Art and VR Technology

The European project ART4MENTAL (Project No. 101256141), funded under the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, has officially launched with a kick-off meeting and press conference in Warsaw, bringing together partners from across Europe and Ukraine.


ART4MENTAL is a cross-disciplinary initiative that explores how art, immersive technologies and mental health practices can work together to support emotional well-being, resilience, and social inclusion.The project unites universities, artists, mental health professionals and technology partners to co-create innovative approaches at the intersection of culture, care, and digital transformation.


During the kick-off event, consortium partners aligned on the project’s structure, implementation approach and collaboration processes for the upcoming 24-month period.

‍Focus of ART4MENTAL Project:


‍ART4MENTAL will develop and test new formats that combine artistic expression with immersive digital tools, including Virtual Reality (VR), to support mental health in practical and scalable ways.
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‍Key project directions include:
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  • supporting artists in creating immersive art-based experiences;

  • developing training programmes for professionals working
 at the intersection of art and mental health;

  • introducing innovative VR art therapy for mental health and rehabilitation;

  • engaging diverse communities through exhibitions, 
workshops, and public events across Europe and Ukraine.


Another important upcoming milestone of the project is the launch of an international Open Call for artists, which will open very soon. Through this call, ART4MENTAL will select 20 professional artists (10 from Ukraine and 10 from EU Member States) to take part in a comprehensive capacity-building and creative production programme.


The project will distribute a total of EUR 100,000 in grants to selected artists to support the creation of immersive art and VR-based therapeutic experiences developed within the project framework.


The consortium will organise a series of international programmes, workshops, training sessions, mentoring activities, co-design laboratories, public discussions, exhibitions, bootcamps and networking events aimed not only at artists, but also at mental health professionals, university staff, students, cultural organisations, researchers, vulnerable groups, youth, displaced persons and local communities.Among the planned activities are:


  • capacity-building programmes for artists and creative professionals;

  • specialised training for therapists, educators and mental health practitioners working with creative and immersive methods;

  • co-design workshops involving students and universities across partner countries;

  • collaborative activities with rehabilitation and recovery centres;

  • public exhibitions.


QUOTES:


‍“ART4MENTAL is not just about innovation — it is about people. We aim to create tools that help individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. By combining art, technology and mental health expertise, we are building solutions that can bring about real changes in how we heal,” — Kateryna Dehtyar, Project Coordinator

“ART4MENTAL gives us an opportunity to bring together creativity, technology and human sensitivity. I believe that art and immersive environments can help people feel more connected to themselves and others, especially when words are not enough. 



Merli Tammi-Jõeveer, TTK University of Applied Sciences:


“In today’s fast-paced world, we all need a moment to pause and catch our breath. ART4MENTAL isn’t just a project dedicated to innovation. It’s a project aimed at restoring emotional connections through art, community and immersive experiences. Projects like ART4MENTAL remind us that creativity is not a luxury, but a basic necessity for recovery» – Yulia Darchych, Team Lead, Rise of Ukraine


‍‍About the project:


‍ART4MENTAL is funded by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) under the Creative Europe Programme.The project focuses on:


  • mental health and well-being;

  • digital and immersive technologies;

  • support for vulnerable groups, youth, and communities across Europe and Ukraine;

  • strengthening cultural and creative sectors through innovation.


CONSORTIUM:
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‍ART4MENTAL brings together a diverse European consortium:
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FACTS:
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  • Art-based interventions are increasingly used in mental health care, especially for trauma recovery.

  • Immersive videos are being actively researched as a tool for:

    • reducing anxiety;
    • treating PTSD;
    • guided exposure therapy.

  • Combining art and immersive technologies allows for the creation 
of safe, controlled, and emotionally rich environments for recovery


ART4MENTAL is based on the “art as a tool for resilience” approach, which is supported by current research in the field of mental health


‍‍Disclaimer:


‍Funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe Programme. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.