CETOD
CETOD
Creative Expression To Overcome Distress
CETOD was a research pilot exploring the therapeutic potential of artistic practices in mitigating psychological distress among young people especially students
The Origin Story
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as academic life resumed, in 2021, under intensified pressure at the University of Ghana, everything changed. Social activities remained prohibited or thoroughly restricted. Twelve (12) week course schedule had been constrained into a 6-week schedule without adequate orientation to prepare students of what to expect. Minds that used to flourish with innovative ideas, aspirations, and goals, were then filled with doubt, unrest, excessive exhaustion and burnout from the excessive work overload. One could almost read signs of surrender and pessimism in the eyes of many. You can almost read in their faces the screams of their mind. It was in one of those moments that a quiet idea of intervention emerged in my mind. Alongside eight fellow artists, I initiated the Campus Room Tour—an intimate performance movement rooted in Ghanaian traditions of music as healing and communal connection.
Aim
The aim was to socially engage occupants of each room through storytelling using music and performance to create space for emotional healing, community dialogue, and collective resilience.
Impact
Armed with a guitar and guided by empathy, we moved from hostel to hostel, transforming student rooms into spaces of release and reflection. Between 2021 and 2023, we visited over 500 rooms, responding to a growing call for presence, including personalized performances for significant moments like birthdays.
This organic, community-driven experience culminated in our debut showcase, 9ti Minutes with the Suns (2023). More than a performance, it became a platform for emerging artists, bridging grassroots creativity with industry visibility, and affirming art as a powerful tool for healing, connection, and cultural continuity.
As a follow up, in June 2024, I curated the “Voice of Vinɔkɔ: Live Performance and Interactive Session,” specifically addressing mental health issues among young people in my community. This event was more than a performance; it was an open forum where attendees could discuss their psychological and emotional challenges, facilitated by the music that spoke directly to their experiences. This initiative underscored the role of music in fostering dialogue, building community resilience, and empowering individuals to confront their personal battles. Addressing mental health through music is crucial to me because it creates a platform for shared experiences and collective healing, reinforcing the power of community in overcoming adversity.
WHY CETOD EXISTS?
