National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

My Feelings Are A Work of Art

In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 6, 2010, the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association joined fellow art therapists throughout the country in holding special events.  The American Art Therapy Association sent out a call for all state organizations to get involved in spreading the word about the importance of children’s mental health issues.  The Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association held an event at Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum, Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park.  Art therapists from the tri-state area volunteered to help children explore their feelings in a project entitled, “My Feelings Are A Work of Art”.  The art therapists were on hand to facilitate discussion about feelings as well as provide literature on topics such as: art and mental health, how to use art to help children express themselves, and the do’s and don’ts of responding to children’s artwork.

The Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association received special recognition for the event from several dignitaries including: a proclamation from the office of the Mayor of Philadelphia- Michael Nutter, three beautiful letters of support from Governor Ed Rendell, Congressman Joe Sestak and Vice President Joe Biden as well as a proclamation from Governor Rendell declaring May 6, 2010 to be National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Board Member, Lara Haagen, facilitating emotional awareness in art making at The Please Touch Museum

The day was very special with many  children exploring and expressing their feelings.  As  little Javier announced “I am happy today!”, he expressed his happiness by drawing his face proudly including his two ears, two eyes, a nose, and a big smile.  Many thanks to the Please Touch Museum, the board of the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association and members Andrea Poggi Mooney, Mike Fogel, Andrea Duff, and Aimee Pugh who volunteered to make this event a success.  The excitement of volunteering was contagious with the art therapists commenting that they would like to see the Delaware Valley Art Therapy Association explore possible volunteer events in the future.

Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

Letters of Endorsement for Children’s Mental Health Day 2010 eld at The Please Touch Museum

Vice President Biden’s Letter of Recognition

Joe Sestak’s, 7th District House Representative, Letter of Recognition

Governor Rendell’s letter and Proclamation Day Certificate

Mayor Nutter’s Endorsement of Children’s Mental Health Day 2010