Students Use Art to Tackle Mental Health Stigma

Two young students are using art, kindness, and conversation to help change how Belize talks about mental health. Thirteen-year-old Arianna Grant and fourteen-year-old Jahmia Lodge of Saint Catherine Academy brought their “Every Mind Matters” initiative to the Lake-I Welcome Resource Center today. They hosted a paint-and-sip session for participants between thirty-five and sixty-five, while also donating food and hygiene supplies. Their aim is to encourage compassion, raise awareness, and remind people facing mental health challenges that they are not forgotten. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

 

Kirk Simpson, Visitor

“I feel like I young again.”

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This morning, visitors at the Welcome Resource Center picked up paintbrushes for a mental health activity led by SCA students Jahmia Lodge and Arianna Grant. According to administrator Beatrice Vernon, the duo first reached out to the center in July looking for ways to give back to the community. After learning more about the center’s work and the people it serves, the idea for a painting session quickly took shape.

 

Beatrice Vernon, Administrator, Welcome Resource Center

“It was a surprise, and it’s another form of activity outside of what they’re used to. So for them, I know that it was an excitement for something like this happening here today with them, not only just painting, but also with getting a little treat at the end of the session.”

 

The pair used the painting session to encourage visitors to take a moment, relax and prioritize their mental health. Jahmia says the session has been calming.

 

Jahmia Lodge, Volunteer

“We’re doing this as a passion project for our school SCA  and we just decided to help people with mental health, to spend time with them and do a little sip and paint. We decided this because mental health is important, and it deserves to be recognized.”

 

Arianna says the experience has opened her eyes and taught her how to connect with her community while giving back.

 

Arianna Grant, Volunteer

“Honestly it’s been so amazing. I really enjoyed it and I just really love helping people, so it’s very good for me.”

 

Britney Gordon

“Do you encourage other people your age to get involved in their community like this?

 

Arianna Grant

“Yes, I do encourage them to get involved in the community.”

 

The paint-and-sip activity struck a chord with participants, many of whom saw it as more than just an art session. For them, it was a chance to relax, reconnect with childhood memories, and feel seen. Vernon praised the students for using creativity to raise awareness about mental health and bring the community closer together.

 

Beatrice Vernon

“It was truly a blessing, when they first came to me with the idea of being a part of the center, bringing awareness to the community. And as young people, you know, it was truly, truly grateful on our part that these young people sha- saw and took the initiative of bringing awareness. And they were able to bridge the gap between those that we at the center were unable to reach.”

 

Vernon hopes that their example will inspire other young people to get involved and challenge common misconceptions about those living with mental health challenges. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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