Cooking Classes To Enhance Mental Well-Being

CoolTan Arts, is a mental health charity located in England, that operates on the belief that "mental well-being can be enhanced by the power of creativity" and through the arts.  As part of their program, CoolTan offers a cooking club to their members to not only learn how to eat a healthy diet which is thought to improve the prognosis of various mental illnesses, but to provide a sense of community and support, as many of these individuals are used to eating alone or struggle to buy and cook healthy meals due to financial limitations. 

"CoolTan Arts believe there is a strong connection between food and mental health. Two years ago they started a cooking club for their members; many have experience of mental illness. Based in Southwark, south London, members meet twice a week to choose and cook recipes together.

The club adapts its recipes to cater to the needs of those who attend or for those on medication that can bring side effects such as weight gain or appetite loss. There is a strong link between mental health conditions (in particular, depression) and diabetes, which is taken into consideration, as is the need to be sensitive around those with eating disorders."

Find out more here:
http://www.cooltanarts.org.uk/
http://www.theguardian.com/society/christmas-charity-appeal-2014-blog/2015/jan/02/-sp-rosemary-shrager-cooking-mental-health

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