Behavioral Health Services North and the Strand Center for the Arts are collaborating on a gallery to raise awareness for mental health. It’s called “Holding Space,” and it’s open as Mental Health Month approaches in May.”Art has been a huge part of my recovery,” said Barb Guay. She’s a supervisor for BHSN’s Personalized Recovery Oriented Services program and an artist.Guay said creating has helped her heal and stay positive.”When people use their talents to connect with others, it allows them to form healthier connections and just feel seen and heard,” she said.Organizers said the exhibition shows how art can relate to one’s mental health journey. Thirty-five people have their work on display — some are local artists and others are part of the PROS program.”It really created a bridge from our agency into the community so that people had a safe space to be able to connect and talk about mental health,” Guay said. “Art creates a really beautiful opportunity for people to tell their recovery story.”She said there are many people in Clinton County facing mental health challenges.Another artist, Patricia Downs, said this gallery is something the North Country has needed for a while.”It’s important to so many people struggling with the whole array of things,” Downs said. “The community, I think, is really benefiting from the show right now.”Downs said she hopes viewers feel some connection to the work.”I just hope that whatever a viewer takes from it is meaningful to them,” she said.BHSN officials encourage people seeking help to check out their programs, including individual or group therapy and family services.The exhibition will be open through Mental Health Month, closing at the end of May.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. —
Behavioral Health Services North and the Strand Center for the Arts are collaborating on a gallery to raise awareness for mental health. It’s called “Holding Space,” and it’s open as Mental Health Month approaches in May.
“Art has been a huge part of my recovery,” said Barb Guay. She’s a supervisor for BHSN’s Personalized Recovery Oriented Services program and an artist.
Guay said creating has helped her heal and stay positive.
“When people use their talents to connect with others, it allows them to form healthier connections and just feel seen and heard,” she said.
Organizers said the exhibition shows how art can relate to one’s mental health journey.
Thirty-five people have their work on display — some are local artists and others are part of the PROS program.
“It really created a bridge from our agency into the community so that people had a safe space to be able to connect and talk about mental health,” Guay said. “Art creates a really beautiful opportunity for people to tell their recovery story.”
She said there are many people in Clinton County facing mental health challenges.
Another artist, Patricia Downs, said this gallery is something the North Country has needed for a while.
“It’s important to so many people struggling with the whole array of things,” Downs said. “The community, I think, is really benefiting from the show right now.”
Downs said she hopes viewers feel some connection to the work.
“I just hope that whatever a viewer takes from it is meaningful to them,” she said.
BHSN officials encourage people seeking help to check out their programs, including individual or group therapy and family services.
The exhibition will be open through Mental Health Month, closing at the end of May.