When Art Meets Psychology: Two Students, Three Months, and What They Learned in IQ's Inpatient Unit
Arwa Arif and Laiba Qasim completed their final year of BS Psychology while volunteering with IQ Institute's Inpatient Enrichment Program between October 2025 and January 2026. Every Saturday, they co-facilitated creative arts sessions for psychiatric inpatients.
They arrived with different motivations: Laiba wanted to bridge the distance between classroom theory and clinical reality, while Arwa wondered whether her lifelong relationship with art could become meaningful for someone else.
Their first days were marked by uncertainty. Over time, a supportive environment helped that uncertainty turn into curiosity. Sessions combined simple grounding or movement activities with art- and play-based exercises designed to encourage expression without pressure.
They learned that no two sessions were identical. Some participants engaged quickly, some needed time and some remained quiet. A small moment during a ball-and-basket activity stayed with Laiba: when a participant succeeded, they celebrated by saying, “We did it, even you couldn't.” For her, it captured a larger lesson — progress is not always visible, and small signs of engagement can carry real meaning.
Both students also came away with a changed understanding of inpatient mental health care. Arwa described how the initial fear gave way to a recognition that inpatient settings are made up of people who need care and understanding. The experience made both students more patient, observant and empathetic.
Our community stories reflect the learning, compassion, collaboration and practical work that sit behind healthcare and welfare.