Mental Health Awareness Month

 

United States has been observing Mental Health Awareness during the month of May since 1949. Each year, businesses, organizations, schools and individuals dedicate this month to acknowledge those effected by mental illness and present innovative ideas, events and programs that support the treatment and prevention of mental illness. Many individuals that suffer from mental health symptoms have found that creating art can be used as a therapy and have very positive effects on their condition. A regular practice of creating art can be nurturing for relieving stress, increasing confidence and supporting general mental health wellness in all of us, not just those that struggle. The Zentangle Method is a simple and powerful way to access creativity. The Zentangle Method opens doorways to our creative abilities and the artist within each of us. Using simple steps and basic strokes, anyone can create beautiful images using the Zentangle Method.   This May we will be honoring Mental Health Awareness month through a series of blogs, newsletters, and videos. We will explore the ways in which our own Zentangle practice plays a role in our own mental health and well being. Whether it is the act of creating art or embracing the philosophies behind the method, the Zentangle Method is a powerful tool to have in our toolbox. In spring of 2020, Julie shared a blog, My Zentangle Tool Box. We thought this message is just as important today as it was just a few years ago. Join us as we look back on these thoughts and ideas and (hint) we may be giving away a new Zentangle MantraBand!

To further kick off this month, we are going back to last May (2021) and Zentangle Project Pack No. 14. This project pack was designed to highlight the importance of art and creativity in mental health and wellness. In this series, we share the Zentangle Method as an option for accessing the artist within. If you tangled along with us the first time around, we invite you to join us again and perhaps use our ideas and lessons as seeds of inspiration for new ideas. If this is your first exploration of this project pack, we can’t wait to see what you create.

You can watch all of the Zentangle Project Pack No. 14 videos for free here. You can purchase PP14 materials here or follow along with whatever you have at home!   We are looking forward to the stories we will share and conversations that we will have over the next few weeks. Thank you all for joining us!