Mural art therapy for young offenders hospitalised with a mental illness

To describe a mural art therapy project completed within an adolescent unit of a secure forensic psychiatric hospital.

The planning, implementation and consecutive stages of the mural art therapy project are described. Pertinent themes are identified.

A cohort of adolescent forensic inpatients was engaged in a group therapeutic process involving collaboration, design and the completion of an art mural. The participants generally approved of the project and identified themes of gaining a sense of achievement, empowerment, teamwork, involvement and ownership. The art mural transformed and improved the visual and spatial environment of the Adolescent unit courtyard.

Mural art therapy was acceptable to young offenders hospitalised with mental illness, which has relevance for adolescent psychiatric units and youth detention centres.