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The world from their eyes

Written by Sarrah Benoit -Argonaut

Friday, 24 March 2006

A traveling art display relating to children’s mental health has paused in Moscow for a week. “The World Through Our Eyes,” on tour throughout Idaho, can be viewed at the Palouse Mall until Sunday. The System of Care traveling display is part of an anti-stigma campaign launched by the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. The display measures 42 feet by 18 feet and includes painted art, poetry and educational segments. Each piece of art depicts life’s rewards and challenges through the eyes of children with mental health disorders. Meg Harlow, the local coordinator for the display, said the goal of the display is to foster understanding within the community about mental disorders in order to generate compassion. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, more than 17,000 children in Idaho are affected by mental health disorders. Some disorders can be so severe that children have difficulty at home, at school and in the community. Mental health disorders may include anxiety and panic disorders, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders, depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders, according to the Idaho System of Care. “We wanted to generate a statewide anti-stigma campaign and provide an outlet for everyone to learn more about mental health disorders,” said Chandra Story, a public information officer specializing in health and wellness. “Stigmas can be a mark of shame that prevent families from getting the help they need.” Stigmas associated with mental health disorders can be some of the most challenging, she said. “Some families don’t know where to go, and some of (their obstacles are) problems navigating the system and the criteria to get help,” Harlow said. “But that’s what the federation is for. They find the holes and help families fill them with support.” There are a variety of ways in which a family can get support, Harlow said. “If a child needs medicines, they can get help with that. Some children can receive help at school,” she said. “There are even wrap-around services that help support a child in and out of school. It just depends on the child’s needs.” Story said she wants people to understand that children with mental health disorders have the same emotions and express themselves in the same way as others. Both Harlow and Story said they strongly encourage students to view the art display. It may not seem relevant to their lives now, but in the future they may know someone affected by a mental health disorder, Story said. “One in five families is affected by mental health disorders, so someone you know may have one someday,” she said. Senior Jessica Bowman has not seen the art, but said she is interested in the concept of a traveling children’s art display. “I think it comes down to bad advertising. I mean, I would go see it if I knew about it,” she said. She said she thinks college students probably haven’t viewed the display in the Palouse Mall because they don’t care about it. “I mean, I don’t think (some students) see how the display affects them,” she said. “It really depends on their majors and what they like.” Add as favorites (71) | Views: 1762 Be first to comment this article Write Comment Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code. Name: Title: Comment: