In Neuchâtel, Switzerland, doctors are prescribing museum and garden visits to support patients with mental health challenges or chronic illness. The yearlong pilot program encourages exploring art and nature alongside traditional treatments, promoting emotional well-being.
“Art allows people to forget their worries and spend joyful moments of discovery,” said local doctor Patricia Lehmann. So far, 500 patients have received free access to the city’s botanical garden and three museums, including the Neuchâtel Museum of Art and History, featuring works by Monet and Degas.
The initiative draws on a 2019 WHO study showing that cultural engagement improves mental health. The COVID-19 lockdowns highlighted the essential role of art, music, and nature in resilience, according to Julie Courcier Delafontaine of Neuchâtel’s culture department.
If successful, the program could expand to other cultural activities and potentially gain health insurance support, reflecting a growing global trend to integrate creativity, joy, and connection into holistic healthcare.
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