Modeling Wellness

Let’s face it – social isolation and distancing didn’t make anyone’s’ highlight-reel over the two years of the COVID pandemic– but some good certainly came out of the experience. While some people took to home renovations, others took to welcoming a new pet into the family or trying their hand at a new hobby. Mental Health America advocates those regular hobbies and routines can help to boost your mental health. In fact, Neuroscience News points out that social prescribing is a treatment method where doctors actually ask patients with mild to moderate depression to take up a non-medical intervention (such as a hobby) to improve their mental health.

David Craft, a client of Horizon expresses how grateful he is for having found a hobby that he enjoys that also benefits his mental health. “I was always interested in art because my dad was an artist. I enjoyed doing model homes when I was a kid but did not become serious until later in life. Now, I am the third-generation model builder in my family. Art was instrumental in helping me build my confidence."

Pictured right: A model created by David Craft. The Vought F4U Corsair is an American fighter aircraft which saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War.

"For some artists, I know it [art] is a positive escape mechanism for them. When I need to be by myself, I can do this and feel good about the outcome. It is something that leads to a tangible accomplishment that I can see.” 

David also shares how Horizon helped him learn to cope and become more open with people. "I can’t say enough good about Horizon. They really helped me out and I am benefiting from what I learned still today." 

Today, David is looking to get a group of artisans together locally to collaborate on seascape art for his current model, a 1942 Norfolk Navy boat from World War II.