Body and Mental Health; A Reflection and Report of the Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy’s Inaugural Symposium

In recent years, notable progress has been made in the evolution of mental health care in India, with the enactment of the Mental Healthcare Act, (2017) and the introduction of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, (2021). However, dance/ movement therapy (DMT) providers and consumers continue to experience common systemic issues. Within this socio-political context, this article presents a discourse on the inaugural symposium of the Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy (IADMT), which aimed to position DMT as a distinct and significant part of the Indian healthcare ecosystem. This landmark event focused on examining the role of the body in mental health and promoting somatic and other creative approaches across psychology, education, neuroscience, and policy. The manuscript summarizes contributions made by national and international presenters who offered diverse perspectives on culture, decolonization, legislation, the global landscape, and the body in mental health. The speakers offered actionable steps, including urging engagement in research to illustrate the effectiveness of DMT; inviting delegates to participate in their respective professional associations actively; asking government bodies to form a national council with representatives from all creative arts therapies’ associations; and the need for a standardized curriculum for all creative arts therapies. This article also reflects on the overarching themes that emerged from speakers and their exchanges with delegates, including a sense of belonging, professional identity, and advocacy.