The Risa Fund's partnership with ArtReach GW provides free visual arts programming serving residents East of the River. The Spring 2021 semester featured 2 virtual workshop series. The first focused on Black History Month and freedom, and the second on Women's History Month and using women who've persisted to inspire artistic processes through an art therapy lens.
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Let’s talk about mental illness. Sadly, the events of 2020 – from the global pandemic to racial/social tensions and the tumultuous election – have fueled our nation’s growing crisis. Two in five U.S. residents report struggling with issues including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Those in the 18-25 age group have been hit particularly hard, and thoughts of suicide have increased across the population, including among young children. Although our goals shifted because of the pandemic, the Risa Fund has continued to support our partners during this challenging time and has embraced promising new partnerships to address the needs of youth and young adults.
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You may have read about the mental health crisis in our nation. A recent Washington Post article reveals, “from 2007 to 2017, the number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24...increased 56 percent.”* At the Risa Fund, we have never been more compelled to act. That’s why, in 2020, we will delve further into the issues most critical to us: transitional age mental health challenges, suicide prevention, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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Through our ongoing partnership with ArtReach GW, we hosted our first Make and Take: The Art Journal workshop. Participants made their own journals and learned methods for incorporating art journaling and art therapy into their daily routines.
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The Risa Fund and Artreach GW celebrate the inspiring works of art that were created during recent Art Therapy Open Studio sessions. Led by registered art therapist Katherine Tucker, ATR, the sessions promote art-making as a tool for wellness, self-awareness, insight, and community connection.
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The Risa Fund was a proud sponsor of a one-day conference on the unique mental health needs of emerging adults. Conference attendees included hospital-based physicians, community physicians, residents, fellows, medical students, psychologists, psychiatrists, guidance counselors, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team interested in adolescent and emerging adult mental health.
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The Risa Fund continues its support of the 11th Street Bridge Project by funding wellness programs designed to connect the mind and body through movement. These FREE and family-friendly programs include "Transformation Tuesday" fitness classes and "Saturday Play" games and classes.
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The Risa Fund and Artreach GW continue their Art Therapy Open Studio program with new sessions slated for Oct. 2nd - Dec. 12th.
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