Psychiatrist Ahmed Hankir, M.D., noted in a recent social media post. “For me, a few lines of poetry once helped me hold on when hope felt lost — and they still soothe me today.” However, Hankir notes, “Poetry alone cannot treat severe mental illness — and it should never replace evidence-based psychiatric care. But it can contribute to healing.”

Poetry can support mental health and emotional well-being in several ways. Reading or listening to poetry can remind us of shared experiences such as grief, despair, or hope. It can provide comfort, help people feel less alone or encourage reflection. Poetry can be a safe place to express overwhelming feelings, to say things that are difficult to talk about. It can help people release and express difficult and complex emotions without having to explain everything. Sharing poetry can spark conversation and sharing of thoughts and reflections. It can help people make connections with others.

Evidence for the Benefits of Poetry

While research on poetry interventions is limited, available evidence shows potential benefits for mental health and well-being across several areas. For example, poetry interventions were associated with large reductions in PTSD symptoms and significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms and reduced stress, according to a 2023 systematic review and meta-analysis(Kassab, 2026). Studies of brain activity show that engagement with poetry activates key brain regions associated with language processing, emotional regulation, and autobiographical memory.

Another study looked at an intervention consisting of poetry-based reading and writing exercises among children and youth, 8 to 17 years old, in an inpatient pediatric ward. The intervention resulted in a statistically significant reduction in five pediatric quality-of-life function measures: fear, sadness, anger, worry, and fatigue. In addition, qualitative analysis found that the poetry intervention promoted happiness and family involvement (Delamerced, 2021).

Poetry Therapy

When used formally, poetry can be part of treatment. Poetry therapy, according to the National Poetry Therapy Association, is “the use of language, symbol, and story in therapeutic, educational, growth, and community-building capacities.” It uses poems, stories, song lyrics, imagery, and metaphor to facilitate personal growth, healing, and greater self-awareness.

Poetry therapy can involve reading poetry, writing poetry, and/or using poems to invite conversation and reflection on difficult feelings. It can be used in individual or group therapy and can be supported by a variety of written, visual, and audiovisual materials.

For example, for a person dealing with grief and related emotions, a therapist might offer a poem that appropriately addresses the issue. Reading the poem could help the person feel less alone and prompt them to talk about feelings or write their own poetry based on their experiences and emotions. Poetry can also be helpful for people who have experienced trauma or abuse, especially if they have for a long time been fearful of talking about it. “Writing and reading aloud what had been unspeakable can be a terrifying experience, but also a healing one,” writes certified poetry therapist Elaine Brooks, RNC, MA, psychiatric nurse clinician and certified poetry therapist. “Once the risk is taken and there are compassionate witnesses to acknowledge one’s truth without judgment, a sense of worth can begin to emerge” (NAPT 2004).

The International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy (IFB/PT) has established standards and training requirements for poetry therapy and is the independent credentialing authority for clinicians providing the therapy.

Poetry is one tool among many that can support mental well-being and complement mental health treatment.

Learn more

• International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy (IFB/PT)
• National Association for Poetry Therapy