We want to thank everyone who attended Art in The Park to talk about mental illness, historic changes in treating mental illness, and our experiences with anxiety and depression.
We started our conversation talking about when May Mental Health started, in 1949. This was ironically at the same time lobotomies were being performed on patients in mental asylums, housewives and children.
We talked about Victorian Era painter Richard Dadd, who suffered from schizophrenia. His mental condition reflected in his work, most notably in The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke (Shown here.)
Sigrid Hjertén was a Swedish modernist painter, whose paintings drastically changed style as she became diagnosed with schizophrenia. She underwent a botched lobotomy and died in 1948.
Licensed therapist Marina Braff shared her experience treating patients through art therapy. Colors and designs speak loudly of a patient’s mood, feelings and mental state. Marina talked about how art can be used to express emotions that are too difficult to say out loud.
Marina also answered questions about what to do if you notice someone who looks sad or is acting different. Let the person know that you are there and are thinking of them. Start small conversation and see if the person is willing to open up to you. Invite the person to do simple activities, like a walk or even a day enjoying the outdoors. Suggest conversation, and lightly introduce researching a therapist.
Here are a few practical tips that you can begin to improve wellness today:
1. Listening – listening to yourself and listening to others goes a long way. Listening to yourself helps you focus, know what to do to adjust and improve your situation, and allows deep understanding of your emotions. Listening to others improves empathy, expands your perspective, and encourages shared ideas towards wellness.
2. Connecting – Reach out to people you have not spoken to in a while, check in with family and friends, stay connected with your community. We all need a friendly “hello” and “how are you?” from time to time. Connectedness creates stronger relationships and a more supportive community.
3. Indulging – Do something for yourself. Whether it is a quite walk outside, buying something you’ve been eyeing, visiting a new place, giving yourself “me-time” can help you unwind, relax and creates better focus for things in the future.
Marina continued the conversation by talking about improving workplace environment. It starts with the senses. Put things in your office, like light, fresh fragrance. Also add plants for oxygen and uplifting design. Your changed ambience can lighten the mood for not only you, but for your colleagues.
And even if you feel like you can’t get out of bed, focus on the small things that provide pleasure. For example, that deliciously brewed cup of coffee, warm slippers or socks that you can put on first thing that make you feel good, or opening up the windows to look outside.
During the event, we painted our brain templates created by Rawan. It was calming while we kept engaging in the conversation.
Art Spread Supporter Sara Alsawafy talked about her hypno-therapeutic experience to treat her growing anxiety. It helped her clear her mind and made her realize things were not as bad as her mind was making it.
We ended the conversation with our own experiences. Some of us shared our past, unhelpful coping habits of using substances or alcohol, and how it did not help. We talked about stress from work pouring into our minds at night, stopping all chances of sleep. I shared ideas that I included in my “Feeling Alone” blog about how to improve sleep. We felt better knowing we were not alone in our experiences.
We want to thank everyone for sharing their experiences. We encourage continued conversation about this topic. Rawan and I are always here to help our supporters. Never hesitate to reach out to talk to us.
During our Mental Health Awareness event, we shared about Iconic and Contemporary artists and their experience with mental health. Check them out below.
You can watch the event here. Leave comments below and on our Youtube page to let us know how you liked it!
This was such a comforting event to be a part of. I love the practical tips from Marina and Sara. I can’t wait to try the scent tactic and separate my “work” candle from my “relax” scent while I’m doing it all at home. Great and easy mindset shift!
Really great event and amazing speaker in, Marina. It was amazing to hear about the different ways of tackling issues that a lot of people go through on a daily basis. The insight and information were really helpful. Hopefully we can continue to keep talking about it to spread awareness to the message.
Thank you Prakhar! We loved Marina’s insight and her tips. So glad it was helpful to you!
This was such an insightful and helpful event. It not only provided me with excellent information, but it also helped me realize that I am not alone in my daily struggles.
Allie we were so excited you shared your story and experience with us too! Thank you for attending and glad you learned so much!