Writing is actually good for your health, mental and physical (says science)! http://www.thepassivevoice.com/09/2014/science-shows-something-surprising-about-people-who-love-to-write/
Long suspected, recently proven. Very nice!
Hasn't kept me sane, but it has helped subdue the more telling symptoms.
It's a nice validation of how important writing, and I'd generalize and say the arts in general, is. So much so that participating in it, even as a non "artist" provides healing.