The theme of Mental Illness Awareness Week 2021 is, “Together for Mental Health,” where we will focus on the importance of advocating for better care for people with serious mental illness. Hearing from the voices of people with lived experience.
Teaching Through Coronavirus Resource
'Infinity Mirrors - The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away' 2015
See more art by Yayoi Kusama below.
”I fight pain, anxiety, and fear every day, and the only method I have found that relieves my illness is to keep creating art. I followed the thread of art and somehow discovered a path that would allow me to live.”- Yayoi Kusama
Eric weighed 340 pounds and his doctor told him he had 5 years to live. Then he met Peety—and everything changed.
In these unprecedented times of facing worldwide health and economic concerns due to COVID-19, there is a powerful solution to fear, loneliness, and stress, and it is available to everyone. The solution is healthy relationships.
We reject the phrase social distancing because it deprives us of what we need most. We suggest calling the mandate physical distancing and practice social connecting. Healthy relationships and connections will strengthen your immune system as a defense against the virus.
Struggling during the coronavirus? The Crisis Text Line is here to help: https://www.crisistextline.org/
Stories
Demi Lovato is a singer and actress who speaks up about her struggles with bulimia and bipolar disorder.
Misty Copeland is the first ever African American principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. Growing up, she struggled with frequent anxiety and panic attacks, feeling out of place in her surroundings.
Michael Phelps is a now-retired competitive swimmer who won 26 Olympic medals. His foundation created "IM Healthy," free curricula to children experiencing depression, which he also struggles with.
Stories about Mental Health for Younger Readers - by Younger Readers
"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
"I'm nowhere near my limit. I just want to see if there are such things as limits. I want to go and find out."
The following story has a link so you can hear the audio as you read. Great for ESL students and the visually impaired!
Vincent Van Gogh remains one of the world's most renowned artists.
We admire the work of James Doty in building a more compassionate world. Learn about his efforts in the first film in this section.
We honor and respect people who overcome great obstacles and keep going with a positive attitude. Enjoy heroes such as these in the other short films in this selection.
Dr. James Doty speaks on the power of compassion and importance of the work of CCARE.
Liz Murray overcomes her difficult childhood to win a scholarship to go to college.
Art as self-expression
Famous artists, such as Yayoi Kusama and Vincent Van Gogh, have used art to either resolve or reflect on their struggle with mental health.
'Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away'
Kusama began drawing pumpkins as a child in pre-war Japan, where her family owned a plant nursery that farmed kabocha squash.
Get informed! Check out NAMI's information on mental health policies in the US.
https://www.nami.org/Advocacy/Take-Action-on-Advocacy-Issues/Vote4MentalHealth/Learn-the-Issues
Related Pages
A new story book that aims to help children understand and come to terms with COVID-19 has been produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.
With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality.
Click here for the story in English.
Click here for choice of language translations of the book.
BBC: Yayoi Kusama's extraordinary survival story
The Japanese artist overcame childhood trauma and stigma to become a sensation later in life.
Mental Health America
Founded in 1909 by Clifford W. Beers, Mental Health America (MHA) is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all Americans.
Teaching Tolerance
Broken and Healing: Normalizing Mental Health Issues in Our Classrooms
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Artwork curated by MY HERO Arts Education and Gallery director Giselle Villatoro. |
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Short films curated by MY HERO International Film Festival director Wendy Milette. |
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Hero Stories curated by MY HERO General Editor and Story Director Shannon Luders-Manuel. |
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Audio curated by MY HERO Audio director Stu Pearlman. |
Organizer created on 8/20/2020 7:10:17 PM by Xenia Shin
Last edited 10/7/2021 12:07:01 PM by Wendy Milette
