KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Northeast Missouri Health Council of Behavioral Health partnered with A.T. Still University to help raise awareness of mental health through art for Mental Health Awareness Month.
The organizations invited Kirksville residents and ATSU students submit artwork to display them on ATSU’s campus for a Creative Connections Art Exhibit.
This was the first event of its kind with roughly 40 pieces of art submitted by community members.
“May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we thought you know what would be a unique event for the community to come together and talk about,” said Dr. Jennifer Blacksmith, behavioral health director & licensed psychologist at Northeast Behavioral Health. “It’s OK to not be OK. Expressing yourself in a way that people feel safe or just showing art talent we thought that would be fun.”
Multiple artists from the exhibit shared their thoughts on the importance of mental health and why events like this can help promote mental health conversations.
“It brings people together and they can tell their stories or just let the pictures speak for themselves,” said Fenley Corte, creator of Train Wreck. “See if others resonant with it.“
“Being expressive and open and being able to actually see other people that struggle with the same thing makes you want to be able to talk about it with others,” said Jayla Wiggins, creator of Mirror of Doubt. “It makes you breathe a breath of fresh air knowing that you aren’t the only one in the world.“
“Even if you personally haven’t struggled with something, I think it’s so important to support the people in your life that have,” said Kata Bowen, first year medical student at ATSU-KCOM. “This event and events like this can help bring awareness to that.“
ATSU and Northeast Missouri Health Council of Behavioral Health hope to make this an annual event going forward.