ABSTRACT
Chapter Three explores how creative practices – such as photography, film, poetry, art, rap music, and stand-up comedy – can offer powerful ways for boys and men to express and reframe experiences of eating disorders. Drawing on mainstream culture such as the Heartstopper Netflix series, in-depth case studies, and an original lived-experience collaboration exhibited in different venues, it shows how the arts can challenge stigma, broaden understanding, and make visible what is often hidden. The chapter highlights the value of working across disciplines – linking the arts, health, and humanities – and shows how co-produced creative projects not only support individual expression but also generate new forms of knowledge. These approaches invite more inclusive conversations about men’s mental health and open up fresh possibilities for care, connection, and cultural change.
