What can a bunch of 4th graders do to raise awareness about mental health issues? Apparently a great deal. This past spring, an energetic group of 4th grade students from Hayden Heights Elementary in St. Paul participated in a project that provided education about mental health to their school, their families, and their community. With funding from BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota (BCBS) and the talents of teaching artist Matt Jenson from the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH), the children at Hayden Heights launched a community-wide effort to reduce the stigma associated with children’s mental health disorders.
The Children's Mental Health Public Awareness Campaign
Because of the stigma attached to mental health disorders, parents and caregivers are sometimes reluctant to seek help for their children. In fact, all too often parents are blamed for their child’s behaviors and end up feeling embarrassed and ashamed. To combat this negative and counterproductive atmosphere, MACMH put forth a multi-faceted marketing campaign to reach parents, children, families, community members, and professionals through a variety of outreach approaches and partnerships.
The message was simple but important: Although some children do have mental health disorders, these disorders are treatable. But left untreated, a mental health disorder can worsen and lead to conditions that are much more challenging to treat successfully.
Building a Community Partnership
Our first step was to find a receptive community and begin building a relationship with the school’s staff. We found such a school in Hayden Heights Elementary. School personnel were not only interested in the project but they immediately saw the potential benefits for their school.
Next, MACMH teaching artist Matt Jenson needed to win over the 4th grade students and get them interested, excited, and invested in learning about mental health. Jenson did this by leading the students in discussions about what the term “mental health” meant to them. The students expressed a somewhat predictable image of mental health—they envisioned it as scary and overwhelming, kind of like a monster. With that as a starting point, Jenson helped the students develop a more nuanced understanding of mental health and taught them accurate and realistic information about children’s mental health. He especially worked to help the students understand that there is no shame in having a mental health disorder and that children who receive timely, effective treatment can lead happy, successful lives.
Jenson then worked with the students to create something (out of lots of paper, paste, and “found objects”) that represented their image of mental health. Jenson used his knowledge of Greek mythology to explain that in ancient Greece people developed mythical creatures to explain things they didn’t understand. So to better understand the myths of mental health disorders, the 4th graders created their own mythical creature—The Hydra.
In making the Hydra, the students strived to create something monstrous enough to show the seriousness of mental health disorders, but not so scary that it looked undefeatable. In the end, the students’ three-headed Hydra symbolized the very real symptoms of depression and anxiety: sadness that won’t go away, being irritable all the time, and constant worrying.
Art in Action—Getting the Message Out
After the Hydra was assembled, painted, and decorated, the 4th graders dressed up as mythical characters (Zeus, Athena, Hera, and Hercules) and participated in a photo shoot that resulted in materials (a booklet, poster, trading cards, and DVD!) that conveyed just what the students learned—that children sometimes do have mental health disorders but these disorders are very treatable, especially if they are discovered and treated early. All of the materials are easy-to-understand, attractive, and full of accurate information about children’s mental health.
• The 12-page booklet explains how common children’s mental health disorders are, explores many of the myths associated with mental health disorders, and offers factual information to challenge the myths.
• The 12” x18” poster encourages parents and professionals to seek help if they have questions about children’s mental health.
• Two sets of trading cards—1 set (for children ages 2–6) helps children recognize emotions (such as sad, happy, and angry) and provides activities to help children express how they are feeling. The other set (for kids ages 7–12) carries the same theme and information as the booklet.
• DVD Documentary – Hindsight is often 20/20, but this time we had the foresight to realize this was going to be a very special project—one that we would be very proud of. During the project Jenson brought in videographer V. Paul Virtucio to document the process of creating the Hydra. From the footage collected, Jenson and Virtucio created a 10-minute documentary with background music provided by Minnesota musician Michael Monroe. This delightful DVD, which can be shared with the students’ families, carried the message beyond the walls of the classroom and into the students’ homes.
Taking it to the Streets—Literally!
Once completed, the Hydra sculpture took up residence in a display case located in the main walkway of Hayden Heights. The school then held an assembly about the importance of mental health and featured the Myth/Fact project documentary. At the close of the assembly all of the students were given a poster, booklet, and trading cards to take home to share with their families.
After being featured at the school assembly, the Hydra and the Myth/Fact materials were displayed at the community library until July, when the Hydra became the centerpiece of a Mental Health Public Awareness float in the White Bear Avenue Days parade. During the parade, which was attended by more than 15,000 people, MACMH staff members promoted the finale of the public awareness campaign—a public showing of the Myth/Fact documentary at the Maplewood Plaza Theatre and a free movie night featuring “Nanny McPhee.”
To the Community and Beyond
The materials developed as part of the Myth/Fact project (except the well-traveled paper-maché Hydra, which got caught in the rain during its parade appearance) are now being used throughout the Hayden Heights community and beyond to create awareness and provide education about children’s mental health disorders. The Myth/Fact poster is displayed in windows of many smaller businesses, and posters and flyers were left in the break rooms of several larger businesses such as Cub Foods, Rainbow, Michaels, and Pier One.
Packets have also been distributed to New Horizon daycare centers, so the posters and booklets are also being displayed in the day care centers and being distributing to families. In addition, health care clinics in the East Metro are displaying and distributing the materials—they have even given the booklets to parent support groups and several other schools and organizations that work with parents and families.
Did It Work?
We’ll soon see. MACMH is tracking incoming calls from Hayden Heights and the surrounding areas and planning a follow-up survey of the schools, business, and organizations who received the materials to see if the campaign had a lasting impact. |
