“I am fascinated by how VR can be used for artist expression and mental health, because typically we associate these VR technologies with industrial applications or entertainment,” Sanna Kuoppamäki says. Photo: Jon Lindhe, KTH

Published Aug 20, 2026

A new project called Art4Mental aims to explore how VR technologies and art can be used for mental health. Researchers from KTH and several other European universities will collaborate with artists to explore how art, immersive technologies and mental health practices can work together to support emotional well-being.

“We aim to bridge the gap between existing art therapy and new technical innovations,” Sanna Kuoppamäki says.  

Kuoppamäki is an associate professor in technology in health care at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Her research explores the use and design of interactive AI technologies for healthy living with application areas in social robotics, wearable technologies and digital health. Kuoppamäki was invited to take part in the Art4Mental project, funded by the EU Creative Cultural Program.   

“We aim to explore the use and design of VR technologies for mental health by using art-based interventions,” Kuoppamäki says. “Especially for vulnerable populations such as young adults and people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine.”  

Art-based interventions (ABIs) use creative processes like painting, making music and dancing to improve mental health, reduce stress and process trauma. 

Immersive technical solutions 

Twenty artists, working in different fields like digital media, photography or visual arts will be recruited for the project through an open call. These artists, 10 from Ukraine and 10 from EU member states, will work together with the researchers to enhance their art-based interventions through different immersive technical solutions.   

Immersive technology refers to digital tools that create an immersive experience. Examples of these tools include virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). These technologies are used in areas such as gaming and museums, as well as in healthcare and education. 

“The artist will be supported by the project, and then these artists will create visualizations or artistic immersive experiences, which can be integrated into VR technologies. So, artists contribute to these technologies,” Kuoppamäki says.  

The use of ABIs in health and wellbeing is well established, according to Kuoppamäki. Used both in clinical practice and more broadly in mental health promotion. VR-based art interventions, however, are still quite new. One of the Art4Mental project’s goals is to create training manuals for professionals like healthcare practitioners, clinical psychologists and art therapists, so that they can make use of VR in their clinical practice.   

High stakes  

Although the project will run for only two years, the goals are ambitious.  Art4Mental aims to support artists and develop training programmes for health care professionals. The participants will also introduce innovative VR art therapy for mental health and rehabilitation, and engage communities through exhibitions, workshops, and public events across the EU and Ukraine.  

The first online event, on September 10, will be a think tank. This is open to researchers, academic faculty, art therapists, educators and mental health professionals. 

“We will introduce the project and demonstrate how VR has been used to support patients and survivors of war in Ukraine,” Kuoppamäki says.   

Jon Lindhe ( jlindhe@kth.se )