Thrive Celebrates May Is Mental Health Month

Thrive Celebrates May Is Mental Health Month

Published 05/31/2021

WARWICK, RI (May 31, 2021)  – Thrive Behavioral Health hosted several events to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in May. Each year, our organization joins this national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Together, we work to create a nation where anyone affected by mental illness can get the appropriate support and quality of care they require to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

During May is Mental Health Month, Thrive Behavioral Health collected artwork from its clients that depict artistic impressions of their unique experiences and personal growth on their road to mental wellness. Through a variety of art mediums, participants expressed the challenges they are facing and the triumphs they have achieved during their mental health journey. The submissions are featured in the below video:

 

Thrive’s Youth & Family Program also hosted two special events during the month of May in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. The workshops featured art and drama therapy, therapeutic tools utilized to promote positive behavioral changes among participants; improve their interpersonal relationship skills; integrate their physical and emotional well-being; and help them to achieve personal growth and self-awareness.

On May 3, 2021, Thrive hosted a virtual drama therapy workshop entitled "Finding Your Inner Superhero" for children ages 6 to 10 years. The one-hour workshop was led by Thrive’s drama therapist intern, Susie Schutt, and Laura Scussel, Program Manager of Youth and Family Services. It provided a safe space for children to explore their imaginations while practicing their communication skills and building their confidence.

In addition, an in-person art therapy workshop called "Painting for Hope" was offered to teens between 13 to 18 years of age on May 20. Art therapy combines psychological therapy with activities such as painting, drawing, sculpting and clay modeling. The goal of art therapy is to help participants articulate their thoughts through nonverbal communication. During the session, participants gathered at Thrive’s Post Road location in Warwick to express themselves through spray paint. Each individual created their own unique canvas and then worked together to create the group mural featured below.


Teens spray-paint their hopes for the future in an Art Therapy Workshop "Painting for Hope"
led by Youth & Family Program's Nadine Lilly, Art Therapist, and Maria Schmitt, Clinician.


Thrive Behavioral Health’s Youth & Family Services goal is to ensure all children, young adults and their families have access to high-quality behavioral healthcare that promotes social-emotional health and academic success. To learn about its programs, visit this page.

To learn about Thrive's upcoming events and keep informed about behavioral health news and resources, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linked In @ThriveBHRI.