Media arts as an art-based interventions in the institutional care environment

Nowadays, in Malaysia, the burden of mental illness is rising. Statistics from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (2020), National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) revealed that 1 in 10 adolescents from 5.5 million had the idea of committing suicide. The same study also showed that young adolescents aged 13-17 have mental health problems. 1 in 5 depressed (18.3%), 2 in 5 anxious (39.7%) and 1 in 10 are stressed (9.6%). Based on the statistic, it has been proven that mental health issues in Malaysia, especially among adolescents, are critical and must be addressed effectively by all parties. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of art and design in reducing stress, creating relaxation, producing a holistic healing environment for hospital visitors and patients, and generating a positive work environment for healthcare staff. However, there are still insufficient studies that use media art as an art-based intervention to promote well-being and mental health in institutional care in Malaysia. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the elements and characteristics and propose a prototype media art as a new art-based intervention in a Malaysian context to enhance a pleasant healthcare environment and potentially promote well-being and mental health among students in the institutional healthcare environment. This research's significance is beneficial to academia, the institution's healthcare environment in Malaysia, and students' well-being and mental health. As mentioned by the Director-General of Health, Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, the future healthcare facility design goals are to create a healing environment, including art and hospitality.