Creativity, Mental Illness, and Child Development

In their lively podcast episode recorded at Rose Library, Allie and Noosh explore creativity, mental illness, and child development. Noosh sheds light on how mental health can profoundly impact creativity. She specifically highlights Vincent van Gogh’s experience: despite his struggles with mental illness and time spent in an asylum, he found solace in painting, ultimately creating masterpieces like “Starry Night.” Interestingly, there may even be a connection between his mental state and the use of absinthe in his art. Switching gears, Allie discusses the creativity crisis observed in children. Our evolving societal norms and ideals have influenced creativity. Children today face more pressure at an early age, with less emphasis on playtime—especially outdoor play. Additionally, the advent of digital technologies has transformed the way children engage in play and express their creativity in the 21st century.