Pets and mental health

Abstract

Mental health is a growing concern in the United States. Despite this, mental health is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or not taken seriously. Misconceptions about mental health can have devastating consequences, including high rates of suicide. It is crucial that mental health be given more attention and that those struggling are encouraged to seek help. For many people, pets can play a vital role in supporting mental health. Numerous studies have explored the health benefits of pet ownership and have found that pets not only improve mental well-being but also contribute to physical health, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing other cardiovascular problems. This thesis aims to present the research on how our pets at home help us each day. Since this was an art project, art will also be considered a behavior to improve mental health. To convey this message in art form, a collage of many different pets, from cats and dogs to crabs and rats, was created with a brain and heart in the center to show how important pets can be. The written and art pieces together aim to promote healthier ways to deal with mental health and promote more research on how pets are beneficial to humans.