Pre-project reflection:
So many people struggle with a different variety of mental health disorders. Not many people can come out and say it because it's so personal and causes so many emotions. So why not provide an event where they can express themselves without being put on the spot? Art always has so many meaning behind it and now there's an opportunity for the students to express themselves through their art.
Project:
Mental Health Art Day
Abstract:
Mental Health Art Day is a day where students bring any form of art depicting a mental health disorder. This kind of event is also a fantastic way to educate those who attend and clear up misconceptions, destroy stereotypes, and reduce discrimination.
Plan:
-For this project, I hosted an event titled Mental Health Art Day on October 6th, 2016. My team members from the club R.E.A.L PEERS helped set up this event. The Mental Health Art Day let's students create any form of art depicting any mental health disorder they choose. This could have been a sculpture depicting insomnia, a painting of depression, a dance representing anxiety. It was totally up to the student and their creativity.
-The purpose of this project was to bring student's awareness to the disorders and clear up any misconceptions they may have. I want to reduce stigmas related to mental health disorders. I’m also leading the students into the right direction by given them different methods of coping with their disorder and giving them a chance to express their personal story.
Budget
My budget for the project is $500 and so far I've only spent $200 on flyers and advertising. The flyers have gone towards the Suicide Awareness Week and towards Mental Health Awareness Day. $200 will go into Chartwells for food for the actual event. Because they are so expensive, I can only have 50 brownies, 50 cookies, and 50 rice crispies in order to feed everyone for this event. The rest is free when scheduled through T-Bird Connections and they provide everything else the event may need (i.e. tables, microphones, projector, tables, etc.)
Resources
My R.E.A.L Peers Advisor Nikki Gwin, T-Bird Connections for scheduling purposes, Chartwells to order food for the event, SUU C.A.P.S Center to refer students who are in need of a free counselor.
The Risk:
Mental Health is always a touchy subject! But, the most risk this has is causing certain triggers for people but I'm providing the resource of SUU's Counseling and Psychological Center. Hopefully this event will decrease any stigmas and make the students in their environment(s)!
Timeline:
• The start date was August 1st and my end date is October 6th.
• I’ve gone to meetings to pitch the idea (August 8th)
• Spent hours on advertising including posters, images for the kiosks and mini flyers (this happened over multiple days)
• Replied to emails concerning the event that students or staff may have (the entire timeline)
• Participated in planning and executing Suicide Awareness Week (August 13th-16th)
• Taught classes through "Don't Cancel That Class" concerning stress (August 19th)
• Addiction (August 26th), and healthy relationships (October 3rd)
Checklist:
• Pitch idea
• Create flyers
• Teach Classes
• Help with Suicide Awareness Week
• Contact T-Bird Connections for room reservation
• Contact Chartwells and order food
Obstacles:
The amount of time that I have causes crunch time. I had to create it so early in the semester because it goes along with Mental Health Awareness Month (October). Getting the word out is really hard because all I can really do is put up flyers, create Facebook events, send emails, and use the word of mouth. Because mental health is such a sensitive topic for so many people, it may be hard to motivate people enough to bring their expression of a disorder to the event.
Reflection:
This event is an awesome way to get all of SUU’s students to get together and have a giant way of supporting for all those who struggle with these mental health disorder. We are able to educate the public and reduce stigmas on these disorders.