Within the framework of the 37th edition of the Mental Health Awareness Weeks (SISM), held from October 5 to 18 with the theme "For our mental health, let us open up to the arts," the Mayotte Hospital Center (CHM) and the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Mayotte brought together caregivers, educators, psychologists, and cultural actors at the MJC of M'gombani. The event focused on a conference titled "art as a therapeutic mediator," highlighting how creative practices such as photography, pottery, storytelling, and singing can support patients' emotional expression and complement traditional care. Jean-Michel Beaumarchais, director of the CHM, emphasized that art can act as a "universal translator" when words fail to convey trauma or pain. He argued that art should not be seen merely as a form of leisure or a supplement to daily life, but as a secure space for individuals to project their emotions, rebuild their sense of self, and recognize themselves. For Beaumarchais, art allows patients to explore their inner world in a safe and constructive way. Dr. Virginie Briard-Girard, head of the child and adolescent psychiatry department, used the SISM to raise awareness about mental health and to promote understanding of the services available in the region. She stressed that mental health is not just the absence of illness, but a state of well-being that allows individuals to thrive in personal, professional, and social contexts. The CHM has also planned expansions in 2025 and 2026, including the opening of an adult mental health center (CMP) in Mtsamboro and two centers for mental health and education for adolescents (CMPEA) in Bandraboua and Pamandzi. The conference also explored how the role of art in psychiatric care has evolved over time. Once seen as a way to observe or interpret illness, art is now increasingly used as a medium for personal expression and as a tool integrated into therapeutic practices. Dr. Briard-Girard noted the shift from asking "what does this work tell us about the disease?" to "what can this creation allow the person who creates it?" Among the initiatives discussed was a storytelling program at the CMPEA of M'tsapéré, tailored to the local Mahorais culture. With the help of storyteller Madi Fardy from Nimbé Animation, caregivers worked with adolescents aged 13 to 18, many of whom have experienced family separations, migrations, or cultural upheavals. Drawing on the rich oral traditions of Mahorais storytelling, the program encourages these young people to express difficult emotions through narrative. The sessions begin with listening to traditional stories, followed by the creation of original stories that end on a positive note. Using elements of their environment, such as mosques, djinns, and cultural symbols, the adolescents collaboratively construct plots that a storyteller then narrates. The stories often reflect the adolescents' personal experiences, touching on themes of displacement, loss, and cultural identity. Therapists believe that using fiction allows these young people to navigate complex emotions that might be hard to express directly. The approach also respects the linguistic diversity of the participants, allowing them to choose the language in which they express themselves, with cultural mediators helping bridge different linguistic and cultural contexts. The long-term goal for the CHM is to integrate these artistic practices more permanently into its mental health services. Jean-Michel Beaumarchais expressed a desire to move these initiatives beyond experimental projects and embed them structurally within the institution's programs. The aim is to develop a mental health system in Mayotte that is "diverse, inclusive, and deeply connected to its culture."