News & Press

Mental Health Show Set

Kauai Mental Health Advocates and "Inspired to Create Media" are creating an event that highlights the benefits of mental health through the exploration of cultural identities in different art forms.

The Healing Mental Health Art Show is set for Nov. 15 at the old Sports Authority in Kukui Grove Center.

Organizers said their hope is to ignite or revitalize a "proactive curiosity of identity amongst the keiki and their ohana."

"We also want to emphasize a message that knowing who we are culturally can help us stay healthy mentally, emotionally, and socially," wrote Franci Davila with Kauai Mental Health Advocates.

They are pairing artists, educators, and mental health advocates with keiki to champion strong mental health through "engaging and bold artistic expressions," a press release said.

The free community event will have a festival-style feeling that will include live body-painting, storytelling, singing, hula and hip hop dancing, spoken word with theatrical movement, and a gallery to showcase artists.

"All in all, we'll have over 65 artists from keiki to kupuna who will show Kauai communities that mental health doesn’t have to be scary but actually a thing of beauty, especially when we know who we are culturally, personally, and collectively," Davila said.

Volunteers and donations are needed and keiki are encouraged to get involved.

Agencies can help by participating, marketing the event, and donating.