Art for Mental Wellness

Mental health

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Our project addresses the critical issue of mental health among children and teenagers (specifically 6-9th grades for this project). In today's increasingly complex and fast-changing world, young people face numerous stressors that can significantly impact their mental well-being. These stressors include academic pressures, social challenges, family dynamics, and the pervasive influence of social media.
Recognizing the growing need for mental health support, our project, the Hwarang Youth Foundation's Summer Art Therapy Classes, aims to provide children and teenagers with effective, creative tools to manage and improve their mental health. Art therapy has been shown to offer numerous benefits, including reducing stress, alleviating anxiety, enhancing mood, and fostering self-expression.

Art program
Certified Art Therapy Instructors: All classes will be facilitated by certified art therapy instructors who are trained to guide participants through the therapeutic process, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
Interactive Art Activities: The core of the program involves hands-on art activities that are designed to be both enjoyable and therapeutic. These activities include:
Coloring Activities: Promoting relaxation and mindfulness through the simple, meditative act of coloring.
Mandala Creation: Encouraging mindfulness and focus, creating a sense of calm and balance.
Self-Portraits: Allowing participants to explore their identities and express their emotions through personal artistic expression.
Emotion Wheel: Helping participants to identify and articulate their feelings, enhancing emotional awareness and literacy.
Group Sessions and Individual Support: The program will include both group activities, which foster a sense of community and peer support, and opportunities for individual guidance, ensuring that each participant's unique needs are addressed.
Parental Involvement and Education: Workshops for parents will be offered to educate them on the mental health benefits of art therapy and provide them with tools to support their children's mental health journey at home.

Through our art therapy program, children and teenagers will gain effective tools for managing anxiety and stress. This will lead to a noticeable decrease in mental health issues among young people in the county.

This program is an early stage project, and we will measure and define success based on the following factors:
Participant Engagement and Retention: High Enrollment and Attendance Rates: Success will be defined by a strong enrollment of participants and consistent attendance throughout the program.
Active Participation: Participants are actively engaged in activities and show enthusiasm and interest in the sessions.
Improvement in Mental Health Outcomes
Reduced Anxiety and Stress Levels: Participants exhibit lower levels of anxiety and stress by the end of the program.
Increased Emotional Awareness: Participants demonstrate a better understanding of their emotions and can express them more effectively.