The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’, thus firmly grounding health in society and culture. Increasingly ageing populations demand innovative ways to improve their quality of life and well-being.
The WHO published a report in 2019 on the fundamental role of arts and culture (including visiting museums, galleries, exhibitions, community activities) in promoting health, preventing mental illness, age-related physical decline and neurological diseases.
A report by the CultureForHealth consortium in 2022 stated that there is a growing awareness in the European Union of the role of culture and the arts in improving health and well-being, both individually and collectively. In fact, the V Plan de Salud de La Comunitat Valenciana includes the social prescription of culture among the actions to be developed in the period 2022-2030
Museums can be presented to citizens as spaces with utilities and benefits that go beyond their usual functions of conservation, research or dissemination of a specific heritage. In this sense, L'ETNO wants to become a resource that can be used by society and visitors to improve their wellbeing in as many situations as possible. So far projects are particularly foccused in diagnosed metal health problems (Alzheimer, depression...).
Main projects are:
- The box of memories. Memories of a life: A program aimed at people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in early stages, based on reminiscence group therapy, a technique of emotional stimulation. L'ETNO offers group sessions at the Museum's facilities and in day centers or spaces of associations/entities dedicated to the treatment of these diseases.
- Recipe Culture: Program aimed at people identified in primary care consultations at health centers who present unwanted loneliness and/or physical inactivity. (Receta Cultura is an initiative of the Direcció General de Salut Pública i Adiccions and Les Naus centre adscribed to l'Ajuntament de València).
- L'ETN(H)OSPITAL: Initiative that aims to develop the educational activities of L'ETNO among children admitted to the Pediatric Unit of the Doctor Peset Hospital (UPH Peset) to improve their emotional and affective state.
- Re-creating identity: Pilot didactic workshop for mental health service users.
