For Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Aspirus Health, Raise Your Voice, and RISEUP Central Wisconsin are collaborating on an arts-focused youth mental health initiative.
In a release, Aspirus said youth mental health is a “critical issue that is pervasive and impacts individuals and communities, yet is often unaddressed or stigmatized.” Ta.
“Since the advent of cell phones and social media, we’ve seen an uptick in anxiety and depression,” said Richard Satterwaite, an attorney with Aspirus Clinical Therapists. “The effects of COVID-19 over the years have created a group of people who don’t do well in social situations.”
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Raise Your Voice and RISEUP Central Wisconsin are working together to empower youth and provide avenues of expression and support. Aspirus said it has relationships with both organizations and aims to leverage a collaborative approach to address the growing problem.
“We harness the power of art to foster healing and dialogue around mental health by creating mental health murals,” said Tara Drager, director of community health and health equity for the Aspirus System. says Mr.
As part of this initiative, workshops are being held to provide students from local high schools with a platform to share experiences and emotions through art. Aspiras said these workshops “serve as a safe space where participants can explore their emotions, struggles, and hopes, and professional artists help translate those experiences into visual expression.” Ta.
“The resulting mural will not only serve as a tangible symbol of resilience and solidarity, but will also spark conversations within the community and raise awareness about youth mental health,” Aspiras said. Stated. “By amplifying young people’s voices and promoting understanding, this initiative aims to break down barriers, reduce stigma and foster a culture of support and inclusion.”
“We believe the answers to our world’s problems lie within our young people,” said Allie Libby, assistant principal at Merrill High School. “We hope that our students’ experiences in this program will have a positive impact on their communities.”
“The collaboration between Raise Your Voice, RISEUP Central Wisconsin, and Aspirus is a step toward addressing youth mental health,” Aspirus said. “By harnessing the power of art and providing safe spaces for expression, these efforts are sparking important conversations and fostering resilience within our communities.”
