A person sitting alone in a corner. Hands decorated with puzzle pieces. The brain labeled as beautiful.

Three unique paintings, yet all trying to express the same idea: mental health.

The art display of about 30 pieces showcased a variety of styles and mediums, including paintings and 3-D art. All pieces were submitted by the campus community and were created to help break the stigma attached to mental health, as well as to promote discussion.

“Mental health is as important as physical health,” Kristen Mar, health educator and coordinator of the Art With Impact event on May 12, says. “It’s also tied to overall wellness, and that’s something that a lot of people aren’t aware of.”

Short films were shown on topics such as self-harm, accessing mental health services, and the process of a mental breakdown.

Event attendees discussed what happened after each film, first in small groups of three and then with the entire group.

“Everyone seemed very open to discussing the topics, which was great to see. It brought up a lot of ideas, specifically in terms of help seeking,” Mar says.

The event was a collaboration between Student Health and Counseling Services and San Francisco-based organization Art With Impact. It was funded by the CalMHSA Grant.

“If we reduce the stigma, people might feel more comfortable reaching out for help,” Mar says.