Access Alliance Arts for Family Health
What if you could explore topics like depression and social isolation through puppetry? lantern making? play and online gaming? What happens when art, play, and mental health come together?
Access Alliance has a long history of supporting immigrant and refugee youth through programs that include peer mentorship, access to primary healthcare, and community based activities. Newcomer youth in Canada face unique mental health challenges shaped by experiences of displacement, cultural transition, and social isolation. Research shows that these youth are at higher risk for depression, anxiety, and stress compared with their Canadian-born peers. Challenges like language barriers, discrimination, and disrupted social networks make it essential to provide culturally responsive and creative supports. One of these creative responses includes “Light and Shadows” by Shadowland Theatre.
Founded in 1983, Shadowland Theatre is a collective of visual artists working with communities to “unearth their distinctive histories, create new stories, and celebrate special events” (Shadowland Theatre, 2026). Under the leadership of Anne Barber, they recently released their first video game in collaboration with Flawed Designs a shadow puppetry game designed to engage youth in meaningful conversations about anxiety and depression, blending imagination, art, and mental health education in an accessible, playful format.
Over eight pilot sessions at our Danforth and Jane Access Points, newcomer youth engaged in shadow puppetry, theatre activities, and lantern making, exploring the “light and shadows” in their own lives.
A unique feature of the program included playing Shadowland Theatre’s first video game, Light & Shadow, is now available for free on Steam and itch.io. Created in collaboration with Flawed Designs, the game uses shadow puppetry to guide young people through a journey of hope and resilience, helping those vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Players take on the role of Po, following a shooting star through a shadowy world filled with challenges and small victories. Developed with input from mental health professionals and a youth advisory, the game has reached a global audience, with 163,438 downloads across 131 countries.
Programs like this demonstrated how arts could support newcomer youth mental health. By engaging in creative practices, participants explored emotions, shared experiences, and connected with peers in a non-threatening, destigmatizing environment. Arts provided a platform for more complex discussions about mental health and well-being, helping youth feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Engaging newcomer youth through theatre and arts is as much about creating a safe, supportive space as it is about the activities themselves. Over the course of the workshop series, youth participants grew braver, exploring improvisation games and theatre exercises that encouraged them to step into unplanned moments with confidence. Guided meditation offered moments of rest and reflection, helping them feel secure and grounded. Even the shyest participants became more willing to join in as the sessions progressed, especially when youth staff from Access Alliance led by example and demonstrated their own enthusiasm and commitment. Practical considerations, like flexible start times and thoughtful group sizes, also mattered, ensuring that all participants felt included and supported. Together, these approaches fostered an environment where creativity, confidence, and connection could flourish.
Gratitude to Shadowland Theatre for hosting this art-filled program, which combined puppetry, theatre, and gaming to help newcomer youth explore emotions, build resilience, and experience creativity in a safe and supportive space.
Learn about expressive arts programs: https://accessalliance.ca/programs-services/community-programs/
Shadowland Theatre https://www.shadowlandtheatre.ca/
