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The exhibition “Mental Health: Supporting Recovery Through Art” by NAMI S.E.A. opens Saturday at the Thomases Family Endowment of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation Art Gallery.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Support through Expressive Arts (S.E.A) is a mental health support group that focuses on self-exploration and expression through art. Therapeutic art activities can boost self-esteem, increase feelings of personal control, provide an outlet for difficult to express emotions and foster a sense of community as well as heightened feelings of social inclusion.
Studies show the process of creating art and engaging in other creative activities stimulates the release of dopamine, a neural transmitter activated when doing pleasurable things. Increased levels of dopamine can be beneficial for those who are dealing with mental health issues and addiction.
The gallery is located at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown, 505 Gypsy Lane, where the work will be on display through Oct. 11. An opening reception and workshop is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday. For more information, go to jewishyoungstown.org.