The healing power of art

Slate Youth Centre, CMHA team up to provide weekly program

Jarret Doyle admits that he doesn’t have much artistic talent, but he still enjoys the art program at Slate Youth Centre.

Slate and the Colchester-east Hants branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association have partnered to run a weekly art program, facilitated by artist Ben Morton, at the centre.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress and release creativity,” said Doyle. “At the end of the day you feel better, even if you were having a good day. It doesn’t matter if you have an art degree, like Ben, or draw stick men, like me. Sometimes people don’t want to commit to something regular, and with this they can just drop in when they have time and feel like it.”

e program, which started in September, is for ages 14-29. Participants work on a variety of projects, usually involving something they can take home at the end of the day.

“I never thought I would do these things, but I’m really enjoying it,” said Katie Elliott, a teen who often takes part in the program.

Another teen, who wanted to be identified only as Kristin, said the centre provides her with a stress-free zone, and the program helped her discover Jarret Doyle, a youth worker, looks on as, from left, Kristin ( surname withheld by request), Katie Elliott, Ben Morton and JP Chalupowski get creative. Slate Youth Centre and the CMHA have partnered on a program that uses art to promote community and mental health.

her artistic side.

“ is helps people realize art can be fun, and it can help you work through things, even some things you didn’t realize were bothering you,” said Ben Morton, who graduated from Mount Al- lison University with a ne arts degree last spring, and is leading the weekly sessions.

“I’ve used art to help myself so I understand the bene ts.”

JP Chalupowski, who is studying child and youth care at the NSCC and volunteers at Slate, said he really appreciates the centre and programs because there was nothing similar in the community where he grew up.

“There aren’t many places where youth can come in and just hang out with other youth. ey’re welcome to drop in here while the art program is running, even if they don’t do art. It forms a sense of belonging and self.”

The art program is held on Tuesdays from 3:30-5 p.m.