Archives for September 2013

The Park National Bank Art Gallery is hosting My Feelings are a Work of Art from September 6-28, 2011.  The public is welcome to attend a reception at the gallery on September 28, 4-7 p.m. Youth who participated in My Feelings are a Work of Art designed displayed artwork.  Their parents and community members will also be attending. In May 2011, National Mental Health Month, FAST TRAC, a system of care initiative of the Clermont County Mental Health & Recovery Board, provided art supplies and support to youth to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, and nurture the social and emotional well being of children. During the month there was a special day of “art action” called “My Feelings Are a Work of Art,” where more than 900 children and youth and 300 adults involved with various agencies across Clermont County participated in a national effort to use art to express their feelings. This exhibit is a partnership between FAST TRAC and the Park National Bank Art Gallery at UC Clermont College to highlight and showcase the impact of this important day of mental health awareness in our community.  Youth involved with community partners below created visual and creative and performing art projects and will be showcased at UC Clermont’s art gallery during the month of September:

Clermont County Boys & Girls Clubs:
New Richmond Club
Amelia Club
Felicity Club

Clermont County Children’s Protective Services
Clermont County Juvenile Court
Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Clermont Recovery Center
Genesis School

Child Focus Head Start:
Bilingual Preschool Classroom 7
Head Start Classroom 1

Child Focus School-Based Mental Health:
Batavia High School
Live Oaks Vocational
Withamsville-Tobasco Elementary
Goshen High School
CNE Elementary
Summerside Elementary
McCormick Elementary
Siepelt Elementary
Willowville Elementary

Child Focus Partial Hospitalization:
Wasserman Youth & Adolescent Center

UC Clermont Park National Bank Art Gallery hosted Clermont FAST TRAC’S My Feelings are a Work of Art Show.  Eight youth ambassadors/artists came to represent their artwork and play music for the evening.  Youth did an incredible job of talking about their artwork and answered questions from over 90 youth, family and community members.  The event was a great success and youth did a great job of representing Clermont FAST TRAC!  Thank you to all those involved in the art project planning, implementation and showcasing! 

The Clermont FAST TRAC Social Marketing Group is already planning for next year’s showcase event.  If you would like to help in next year’s My Feelings are a Work of Art planning or projects for May is Mental Health Month and Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, please contact Tara Keith at tkeith.ft@ccmhrb.org.

Planning for Clermont FAST TRAC My Feelings are a Work of Art activities has begun.  In May 2011, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will celebrate the fifth anniversary of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and May is Mental Health Month. Communities across the country will observe this day with their own events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to increase understanding about the mental health needs of children and their families. 

“National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and Mental Health Month is really all about raising awareness that positive mental health is essential to a child’s healthy development from birth,” said Gretchen Behimer, Clermont FAST TRAC Project Director. FAST TRAC is supporting this initiative because our is to provide a collaborative, sustainable system of care that is family-driven and youth-guided, providing community-based and individualized supports and services that are responsive to the cultural characteristics of Clermont County’s multi-need children, youth and their families, strengthening them with hope and supporting them to lead successful lives.  

Earlier this year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and Clermont FAST TRAC celebrated the fifth anniversary of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day and May is Mental Health Month. Communities across the country observed this day with their own events, youth demonstrations, and social networking campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to increase understanding about the mental health needs of children and their families.   

Since National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is a time to promote positive youth development and the ongoing transformation of mental health service delivery for children, youth and their families, our local transformation project, FAST TRAC, provided art supplies and support to youth to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, and nurture the social and emotional well being of children.  The events included the Awareness Day Art Action, “My Feelings Are a Work of Art,” in which local children and youth are part of a national effort with thousands of other children and youth across the country to use art to express their mental health.  Clermont FAST TRAC had over 850 children and youth across Clermont County participating in “My Feelings are a Work of Art” activities in May.