AS most of you know by now, I like to shed light on events — both past and upcoming — that I think may benefit our general mental health. This week I’m going to discuss an art event that happened a few days ago, with an emphasis on art and mental health, with the hope of you all participating the next time around or picking up the hobby for yourself. Art Activities is an amazing coping skill- so much so that Art Therapy in itself is a successful part of the mental health treatment process for many mental health illnesses such as anxiety and depression. Techniques used in art therapy can include drawing, painting, colouring, sculpting, or collaging. Art activities have so many benefits that may not be easily recognised. It offers an outlet for emotional release where you can express and let go of all your feelings and fears. This also helps with processing emotions such as anger and sadness which you might be unable to healthily express in other ways.

Art expression also helps us to discover feelings that we may not have even known we had. It provides stress release and specifically releases dopamine in the brain which is known as the happy hormone. Art encourages creative thinking and imagination in both kids and adults. Also, please keep in mind that you do not have to be an artist to see these benefits. The following event, hosted by School of the Nations, had proved to be successful. Below are some words by Dr. Otoole himself. The “Heart Through Art” event hosted at School of the Nations on the 11th and 12th of December, is an upcoming youth-initiated art exhibition geared towards providing a platform for local artists to better connect with society. Key coordinators, Chris Bissessar, Kezyah Bhola, and Ashley StAublyn, art students at School of Nations, are working alongside a growing family of artists to bring a voice and stage to the true talent in Guyana. Art is a powerful medium we can use to change society – it is one of the driving statements that inspired the event especially in this time when the pandemic has destroyed so many lives. With many long hours of introspection gained from self-imposed lockdown many can have varying take-aways from the ordeal. As Kezyah Bhola said, “being brought onboard to the Nations art team really turned my year around. The covid19 lockdown seemed to stifle more than the world around me; it affected my art.”

The pandemic has been utilized in many ways but has left some feeling anxious and craving for normality. This is why the team behind this event believes it would be such a beneficial activity to be a part of a new art movement in Guyana. Chris Bissessar, one of the organisers of the Art Exhibition, commented, “I strongly believe, just looking at something someone has poured their heart and time into, is so inspirational. That’s what events like this have done for me and that what I hope it will do for others who support us”. What started as a suggestion of an exhibition in a new Cambridge AS Art course introduced at Nations, quickly snowballed into a series of exciting events. A team from the 6th Form Nations art class spent three days at Mazaruni prison introducing the inmates to new modes of expression. The same team then organised five nights of art displays at Giftland Mall through the generosity and support of Roy and Monica Beepat.

They then organised what will be a monthly art brunch at “Nations” where Guyanese artists simply gather together to inspire others. They have also created an Art Gallery at “Nations” to showcase the ability of Guyanese artists. They have therefore accomplished a great deal in just three months. Backed by the support of many, including the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, who will speak at the opening of the Art Exhibition, Heart Through Art plans to continue pushing for development of the arts in Guyana, we hope to have our artists and society have a better understanding of each other as well as create a new medium to evoke change and awareness in the Guyanese society.

If you’d like to contact Dr. Otoole about upcoming events, please call
Cell: (592) 661 8773
Office: (592) 22 74623

Also if you’d like to share any upcoming or past events with me that might benefit mental health, please do so!Thank you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. If you’d like to have private counselling sessions, please call or WhatsApp +592 623 0433 Suicide helpline numbers – 223-0001, 223-0009. 623-4444, 600-7896 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!