A booklet that explores how school resources impact student mental health.

Students

Students interview school counselors, Ms. Ashley Zaharkis and Dr. Dianah Cantres.

<p dir="ltr"><br />From sudden school shutdowns to the pressures of social media, young people are dealing with a lot these days. As conversations about mental health become more common, there’s a growing sense that many of our personal struggles might not just be all in our heads. What’s mental health? What impacts our mental health? How can young people find support? How can we support others?</p>
<p>In the winter of 2020-2021, CUP collaborated with Teaching Artist Stephen Kwok and public high school students from Life Sciences Secondary School to investigate this issue. Students created art therapy activities, surveyed community members, and interviewed key stakeholders working on the issue.</p>
<p>The team gathered what they learned and created <em>It’s Not Just in Our Heads</em>, a booklet that teaches others about mental health, how it impacts our daily lives, and how to support others that might be struggling with their mental health. Students premiered their final project virtually through a public debut presentation, where they presented their booklet and shared their creative process.<br /></p>

<p>“My favorite part was the conversations because you get to hear stuff from other perspectives. Sometimes you kind of make this biased idea or you have this idea based on only your experience. So it’s good to hear where other people are coming from."</p>

<p>The cover and spread from <em>It's Not Just In our Heads</em>.</p>

Check out the Project

<p>Watch a video of the students creative process!</p>
<figure><iframe style="width:500px;height:281px;" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/534029118" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure>

Student Presentation

<p><strong>CUP</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/fielding-hong">Fielding Hong</a><br /></p>

<p><strong>Educational Partner</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/life-sciences-secondary-school" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Life Sciences Secondary School</a></strong></p>
<p>Kim Swanson, Principal<br />Cecilia Gual, Principal<br /></p>
<p><br /></p>

<p><strong>Teaching Artist<a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/sean-suchara"></a><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/stephen-kwok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><br /><br /></a></strong><a href="https://welcometocup.org/people/stephen-kwok" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen Kwok</a></p>

Project Collaborators

<h3><br /></h3>
<h4><strong>Students</strong></h4>
<p>Sabina Aktar, Rosemarie Alubankudi, Gabriella Chavez, Bisma Ejaz, Nishat Fiza, Azia Francis, Nadia Islam, Alaa Mady, Ayah Mady, Naomi Maldonado, Ada Johnsen-DeWeese, X-Zavion Rivera<br /></p>

<h4><strong>Special Thanks</strong><br /></h4>
<p>Dr. Dianah Cantres, Nicole Hamilton, Parker Johnson, June Song, Elijah Thomas, Linda Tigani, Dr. Wenimo Okoya, Ashley Zaharakis</p>
<h4><strong>Product Details</strong></h4>
<p>9.75″ × 7.5″ stapled booklet, 16 pages</p><h4><strong>Funding Support</strong><br /></h4>
<p>Major Support for this program was provided by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Ben Kallos.<br /><br /></p>

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Hyperakt is a purpose-driven design and innovation studio that elevates human dignity and ignites curiosity. Since 2001, co-founders Julia Zeltser and Deroy Peraza, along with the Hyperakt team, have been partnering with change-makers moving society forward. We believe in design’s power to build a future filled with courage, optimism, and honesty.

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The Center for Urban Pedagogy (CUP) is a nonprofit organization that uses the power of design and art to increase meaningful civic engagement in partnership with historically marginalized communities.

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