Artist, anorexia survivor Hayley Stanich named Robina Hospital’s feature artist in 2024 ArtBeat

Diagnosed with an eating disorder as a teenager, a Gold Coast woman is no stranger to hospitals - or the “transformative” power of art as therapy. Now she is helping others who are struggling.

Hayley Stanich is no stranger to hospitals.

She was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at just 16.

But the now-24-year-old is finding creativity on her emotional health journey.

She said visual art provided her with an emotional outlet throughout the healing and hospital process.

She hopes to connect with others struggling with illness through her work during this year’s ArtBeat – a Gold Coast Health incentive designed to celebrate the creative strengths of mental health patients – as Robina Hospital’s feature artist.

“It’s been transformative,” she said.

“For me my illness is really focused on gaining a sense of control or a sense of achievement – so for me creating art almost provides that relief, but in a healthy way.

“In a ward there’s not much to do besides getting stuck in your own head – so art became a real outlet and a way to almost distract myself.”

Local artist Hayley Stanich in front of some her work on display in Robina Hospital as part of Artbeat. Art Beat is a mental health initiative using painting as therapy. Picture Glenn Hampson

Through interactions with art therapists at Robina Hospital, Ms Stanich said she was drawn to the form of therapy.

“There’s not as many treatments available for my specific illness – so it’s something really helpful,” she said.

“When I’m creating art I love to think about the different people that might see this one day, or try to evoke positive emotions in other people who might see my work, hopefully providing a sense of hope or even a sense of resilience.”

With more than 8000 people having received mental health care in Gold Coast Health emergency departments, and more than 2,600 people being admitted and discharged by its mental health inpatient teams this last financial year, manager of the Gold Coast Health creative health hub Maddie Collins said more people were being drawn to the therapy.

“Anything that puts you into a state of flow while engaging those creative senses really helps regulate our nervous system,” she said.

“Being able to regulate our emotions and nervous system is so important, so something that helps manage and regulate that in our day-to-day is really beneficial.”

Ms Stanich added to anyone struggling: “I want people to know that there’s always hope.

“No matter how far down the track they are, or how unwell they might be, there’s always something to connect with, and when you find that just follow it.”

Ms Stanich’s work will make up part of 108 artworks on display at Robina and Gold Coast University Hospital until October 31.

Originally published as Artist, anorexia survivor Hayley Stanich named Robina Hospital’s feature artist in 2024 ArtBeat