People with mental disabilities in New York have been enjoying the arts through HAI for over thirty-four years. Two City and State initiatives recently undertaken to promote the quality of mental health services mirror HAI's mission to provide Hope And Inspiration to people outside of the cultural mainstream.

The recent New York State public mental health initiative has been entitled "PROS," an acronym for "Personal Recovery Oriented Services.” The New York City initiative, launched by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Division of Mental Hygiene, is called Quality Impact: Improving Mental Hygiene Programs And Communities Together. Both have as their philosophy the idea that the most beneficial health and social service models are ones that are designed for the needs of each person and build upon an individual's strengths to promote independent living skills.

The incorporation of PROS and IMPACT in State and City sponsored care models suggests a shift in the thinking of health and social service communities about how to best help achieve optimal health. Providing resources that help people control and cope with their destiny, are central to this new mandate, which is often referred to as a pursuit of wellness. The affirmation of an individual’s strengths, restoration of an individual's will to participate in society, inspires a sense of hope for the future and adds up to what has been HAI's mission. The mission began more than 34 years ago, for example, by arranging for patients from New York State Psychiatric Centers to attend concerts at Carnegie Hall. One patient from those early days said that for the first time, she was out in the community where no one recognized her as "a mental patient, " that she didn't feel like she had a scarlet "A" on her forehead. She had become part of the community, at least during this concert, and began thinking of herself differently, restoring her sense of worth.

Mental health services have improved dramatically from that time. Now, most individuals with mental and emotional challenges are a part of the community and live with on-site supportive services. HAI has responded to this change by increasing our capacity to provide more services to individuals who live on their own, including opportunities to enjoy:

a) performances at theatres, concert halls and other cultural venues;

b) live professional performances presented in mental health facilities;

c) participating in hands-on arts workshops led by professional artists;

d) participating in educational workshops which utilize theatrical role-play to develop social skills needed to cope with current health and social issues.

For people 65 years of age or older, the benefits of cultural participation come both from the social aspect of attending an event as well as the aesthetic impact of the art form itself. Over the years studies have shown that social activity has a positive impact on emotional and physical health. In addition, a 1996 study in Sweden suggests a strong correlation between frequent attendance of live arts experiences and longevity.

The social service needs of older individuals can vary widely when taking into account health history, lifestyle, finances, family, social networks and personal interests. HAI’s numerous programs for individuals 65 and older offer a range of arts and cultural experiences that motivate people to participate and engage in their later years with as much energy and hopefulness as many individuals carry in their early years.

The Tickets To Go program provides greatly discounted tickets to older individuals, reducing financial barriers often associated with those living on a fixed income. By helping overcome such barriers, HAI helps maintain the presence of culture in the lives of lifelong arts patrons as well as in new audiences.

The Summer Program arranges special seating and accommodations at NY Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera concerts in City parks as well as transportation to Shakespeare festival productions at the Delacorte Theater for people who would otherwise find it too difficult to attend.

The Community Performing Arts Series arranges professional performances at physically accessible venues throughout the five boroughs. These events are specifically scheduled as matinees in order to facilitate the participation of people not willing to go out at night.

In addition, HAI brings a variety of performing artists to residents in facilities throughout the five boroughs. HAI's services foster communication and community through participation in the arts.

These programs have the potential to enrich the lives of people who are outside of the cultural mainstream. Through promoting opportunities that include the arts as part of an active health and social service model, individuals who benefit from HAI's services are able to take on a more active role in incorporating health and personal well-being over a lifetime.