Volunteers needed to help paint 3,096-square-foot mural

Mental health mural

The Community Paint Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the Staten Island Children’s Museum, Livingston. (Courtesy of Alice Mizrachi)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – All are invited to help paint a mural Saturday intended to help raise awareness and reduce stigma toward people with mental illness.

The Community Paint Fest will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the lawn of the Staten Island Children’s Museum, Livingston.

The event is being organized by the Mural Arts Project, funded by the state Office of Mental Health and the city Health Department through its partner, the Fund for Public Health. Venture House Staten Island, a non-profit, community-based mental health agency, serving adults diagnosed with serious mental illness, is also a sponsor of the event.

When complete, the mural, “We are a Connected Community,’’ will measure 3,096 square feet. It will be installed in June at PS 22, Graniteville, on two exterior walls, visible from Forest Avenue. A nearby plaque will explain the mental health theme of the work.

"We wanted a location that’s highly visible to the Staten Island community,'' said Vanessa Monique Smith, project manager for the Mural Arts Project, noting that the PS 22 community has been very engaged in mental health education, so the location was a perfect fit.

The mural design was developed through public community events and weekly workshops with peer specialists, members of the PS 22 community and people with mental health conditions.

"This was actually done by program participants who have mental illness,'' said Yumiko Ikuta, director of the office of rehabilitation for the Mural Arts Project, which has overseen several such murals in the metropolitan area. "It’s not a therapy program. It’s an advocacy program. What we’re trying to do through the initiative is raise awareness and reduce stigma. We’re engaging the community and educating them.''

A peer specialist is a person who has mental illness and is trained to help peers with mental health issues. On Staten Island, peer specialist Sandra Mitchell was critical to the creation of the mural, Ikuta said.

Mental health mural

The mural will be displayed at PS 22, facing Forest Avenue. (Courtesy of Alice Mizrachi)Courtesy of Alice Mizrachi

On Saturday, Artist Alice Mizrachi, members of Venture House Staten Island and families of PS 22 will take any help they can get. "Anyone who wants to come is welcome to come,'' Smith said.

All ages and artistic abilities are welcome, as Mizrachi will guide volunteers using a paint-by-number plan after a discussion about mental illness takes place.

“Working as a muralist that de-stigmatizes mental health in Staten Island alongside Venture House members has been a positive and uplifting experience for me,’’ said Mizrachi. "It reminds me that we are all connected and our kindness toward one another is imperative to achieve a higher divine frequency. I am grateful for this experience.’’

Studies show that such programs are effective in opening dialogue about mental illness, Ikuta said.

An early evaluation created by the project and funded by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund found that, of people who participated in such community engagement workshops, 65 percent had a positive change in their opinion toward people with mental illness, and 58 percent showed an increase in mental health awareness and education.

Another mural, “Feeling All Four Seasons, Bridging All Four Seasons” was to be created in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, earlier this month.

In 2018, the NYC Mural Arts Project created three murals in the Bronx and Brooklyn. In 2017, the project created three murals in East Tremont, the West Bronx and Hell’s Kitchen. For more information on the NYC Mural Arts Project, visit its website or Facebook page.

“By forging partnerships with local artists, community-based organizations and people living with mental health issues, the Mural Arts Project opens the door to discussion and conversation about mental health and treatment,’’ said Ann Sullivan, commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, in a press release announcing the murals. “Creating a dialogue is the best way to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. So, in addition to beautifying the neighborhood, these murals also help residents understand that individuals living with mental illness are like all of us, and want to live independent, happy and productive lives.”

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