We’ve partnered with Counseling & Support Services for Youth (CASSY) to create this toolkit for you to explore healing through art making and reflection. CASSY partners with Bay Area schools to provide resources and professional, on-campus mental health services to students free of charge. We hope to connect the NUMU community to CASSY as a mental health resource, and provide some inspiration for youth, families, and adults to turn to art making in difficult moments of life. Through art we can reveal how we feel, take steps to heal, build empathy, and share our experiences with others.

“Our mission is to de-stigmatize mental health services and make supporting students’ social and emotional well-being the norm in our local schools. We want to provide all students with the continuity of support they need, from the first day of kindergarten until they graduate from high school, to be successful in school and life.” --Marico Sayoc, Executive Director of CASSY

CASSY’s Instagram: @cassybayarea
CASSY’s Facebook Page
Crisis Line: 1-855-278-4204

connect with cassy's services

CASSY Crisis support lines

ACTIVITIES

CASSY has many mental health resources over on their website that can help you or your child handle feelings of anxiety, stress, and sadness. We’ve created and collected some key activities here for your reference. Head on over to their website to peruse all that they have to offer.

Disclaimer: These activities do not replace the experience of meeting with a licensed therapist. If you’d like to get connected with a licensed therapist we encourage you to reach out to CASSY for next steps.

Reveal It to Heal It: ArtNow

ArtNow is NUMU’s annual juried Santa Clara County high school art exhibition and educational program. The ArtNow Exhibition and supporting programs offer opportunities for high school student artists, from Palo Alto to Gilroy, to gain real-world experience in participating in a juried museum exhibition. Each year, a new theme is chosen for the exhibition and students are asked to submit works based on that theme.

Art can be a tool to express deep feelings and address topics that are hard to talk about. Over the years, high school students in ArtNow have explored themes of identity, isolation, self-image, perseverance, mental and emotional health through their art. Below are some examples to help inspire you to create your own artwork to reflect on how you may be feeling. Through the creative process of art making, we can uplift ourselves and others through shared experience.

Click here to view all of the past ArtNow Themes + Catalogs. Past ArtNow themes have included:

2022 - Brave New Worlds
2021 - Good Trouble
2020 - Water
2019 - Dare
2018 - Perspectives
2017 - Choices
2016 - Social Matters
2015 - Bridges: Facing Challenges
2014 - Response: Art is a Conversation
2013 - Art + Tech + Culture

artnow catalog archive

SERINE KUGLER
*I’m ok*
Acrylic on Canvas
ArtNow 2022 Brave New Worlds
People’s Choice Award

Grade 12
Los Gatos High School
Instructor: Mark Yanowsky
“This piece is a take on the issue I want to see fixed in my brave new world, the issue of mental health. The woman in the painting looks peaceful, with the exception of the single golden tear falling down her cheek. This is the first sign that something is wrong, showing the physical emotions of her thoughts. Growing out of her head are invasive weeds, representing the disease that spreads through people with mental illnesses. It is camouflaged as harmless flowers, just like how mental illness is not easily detected, and often overlooked.”

Reflection Exercises

Inspired by the themes above, here are some reflection questions for you to journal about. We hope that some of these themes and questions can help you take a moment to reflect and perhaps inspire you to make art about how you feel:

When do I feel brave?
What color/image/place comes to mind when you think of bravery?
- Draw a self portrait of a moment that you felt brave.
Do you have a special memory with water? Perhaps swimming with friends, making tea, or gazing at the ocean… Describe your memory in detail and how you felt in that moment.
- Make a piece of art to honor that memory. You could take a photo, create a collage, or draw a picture.
What is a perspective that you have that you want to share with others?
- Write down your perspective in the middle of your page and create a mind map of around it of all the things in your life that are important to you. Draw lines connecting all of the words on your page.
Imagine you’re crossing a bridge: What is the bridge made out of? What’s under the bridge? What’s at the other side?
- Draw a picture of what you see.

ERIN ATLURI
My Words Are My Power
Digital Illustration, Colored Pencils
ArtNow 2021 Good Trouble

Grade 12
Los Altos High School
Instructor: Christine An

”Slam poetry has been a powerful way for people to express their emotions through words. Regardless of who you are, poetry can be used by everyone to bring up issues over a variety of topics and share their thoughts and feelings about them.”

ANTARA KRISHNAN
Bloom
Ceramic
ArtNow 2022 Brave New Worlds
2nd Place Sculpture

Grade 12
Westmont High School
Instructor: Rachel Ashman

”I created this piece to symbolize the decay and acceptance of my fears. I take inspiration from our vibrant relatives, the fungi, who dutifully recycle dead matter into nutrients for new life. Within the vulnerability of this piece, there is bravery: the person is tranquil, despite the exposed holes in their arm and chest. I hope to convey that decay need not be frightening: instead, it offers a possibility for new growth.”

ELLA SKINNER
Consolation
Digital Painting
ArtNow 2020 Water
Judge’s Recognition in Digital Art

Grade 12
Leland High School
Instructor: Stacy Rapoport

”A girl leans against an overflowing sink. Although in an overtly public place, she resides in solitude amongst a pool of water. Through my use of muted blue tones, I convey her isolated and cathartic state. The water nearly overflows from the sink, just as her pent-up emotions burst and surround her. She struggles to express her emotions, but the water seeps through the crevices.”

POLINA SPAKOVSKY
Gardener
Color Pencil
ArtNow 2020 Water

Grade 11
Los Altos High School
Instructor: Christine An

”Even in a place of emptiness, I have found that it is important to nurture the things I care about. It is easy to get lost in the idea that it doesn’t matter, but giving life to even the smallest things can lead to a better mental space. Sometimes it can be as simple as watering my plants.”

JADA WONG
Which One to Wear Today
Color pencils
ArtNow 2019 Dare

Grade 11
Leland High School
Instructor: Stacy Rapoport

”Dare to be yourself. We alter the way we look, talk, see, and listen based on our surroundings. Locked away in cages and jars, we hide our variety of parts. Eventually the amount of combinations become too much, leaving you wondering who you are. I depicted the chaos of navigating the world of identity through the repetition in the hair and incorporated severed body parts and grasping hands to portray the detriment exploration can have.”

MALIA COOK
Beautiful Bird Cage Among Boxes
Acrylic on paper, pen for cage bars
ArtNow 2019 Dare

Grade 10
Pioneer High School
Instructor: Laurie K Kirk

”The birdcage contains a vibrant, colorful personality in the otherwise lackluster room full of boxes. This painting represents many people who never let their true self show through their facade. Their unique character and personality are trapped in a cage and hidden away, drowning in the mass of washed-out boxes symbolizing their fake persona. Dare to put yourself out there and live life to the fullest. Don’t let the haters put you into a cage.”

DEBARATI CHATTERJEE
Burdens Digital
illustration
ArtNow 2018 Perspectives

Harker Upper School
Instructor: Pilar Aügero-Esparaza

”This piece references the myth of Atlas carrying the weight of the world. The figure is carrying an orb that represents my anxieties and stresses. By having the orb break away into a flock of ravens, which are commonly referred to as murders, I am trying to convey the fact that sometimes the process of dealing with a problem can be just as painful as the problem itself.”

MINGYUAN DONG
Peace Within Myself
Acrylic paint, charcoal, pastel
ArtNow 2018 Perspectives

The King’s Academy
Instructor: Cindi Sweet

”The world around me is colorful and busy, when full of people and objects passing by. While I engage with the world, I still keep a space in my heart where I can find peace and order, identify myself, and communicate with myself.”

ALICIA YAMAMOTO
Schizophrenia
Ink, watercolor
ArtNow 2017 Choices

Pioneer HIgh School
Instructor: Laurie Kirk

”Many people affected with schizophrenia have diffculty telling the difference between what is real and what is not, and also struggle in making choices by themselves. It is a privilege to be able to make choices in life. The many random objects in the artwork represent the imaginary world the subject is in, blocking the many choices he or she may have.”

LAURA CHALAND
I Choose Me
Oil paint
ArtNow 2017 Choices

Saratoga High School
Instructor: Diana Vanry

”Two years ago, my parents split. When everything you know and take for granted is being taken away from you, there is little to do to alleviate the pain. I made the choice to focus on my needs and myself when my parents were too preoccupied with their own problems. This painting depicts a sort of bubble around the subject. The “bubble” protected me from being more hurt than I already was.”

JENNY HUANG
Fishbowl Reality
Acrylic paint
ArtNow 2016 Social Matters

Los Altos High School
Instructor: Christine An

”The buildup of stress and pressure in our daily lives makes it seem as if we are drowning. For women, the burden of being stronger, better, braver while continuing to keep an elegant and graceful facade is suffocating. The world is like a fish bowl trap in a vast ocean of the universe.”

KIMBERLY OLESON
Into the Rabbit Hole
Digital photography
ArtNow 2016 Social Matters

Los Altos High School
Instructor: Jessica Hayes

”My family is affected by the mental illness of depression. I’ve seen it consume people who I am very close to and morph them into a completely different person. On the other end, I can also see how it is affecting me. Every now and then I find myself having negative thoughts. It’s like I’m getting pulled into the rabbit hole of my family’s depression, with no way out.”

HANNAH FERGUSON
Glitch
Colored pencil
ArtNow 2015 Bridges
Judge’s Recognition for Theme

Leigh High School
Instructor: Kimberly Bartel

”Being in a mindset where you see yourself as the only person in the world that doesn’t have their life planned out is strenuous. It’s difficult to self-reflect and view yourself as a mistake because you aren’t planned for the future. The uncertainty of where you’re going and what you’re doing holds you back from what you want to accomplish.”

KIMI WALTERS
Untitled
Copic marker
ArtNow 2015 Bridges

Leigh High School
Instructor: Kimberly Bartel

“Many of life’s problems stem from within our minds. We may feel small or insignificant and trapped inside ourselves, but many times the solution is simple. If you look closely at this piece, the girl inside the maze is sawing down the walls to get to where she wants. She demonstrates how persevering and changing your mindset can help to overcome obstacles.”

LUKE TSAI
I Am Not Afraid
Digital print
ArtNow 2014 Response: Art is a Conversation
1st Place in New Media

Piedmont Hills High School

”Bullying has always been a social problem, especially for teens. Many teenagers don’t know how to speak out when they are being bullied. It’s like the bully takes control of their life and the victim sees the bully inside themselves. I wanted to use this photograph to send a message to teens that they do not need to be afraid of speaking out if they are being bullied.”

SANDRA SANDOVAL
Acknowledge
Underglazed ceramic
ArtNow 2014 Response: Art is a Conversation

Fremont High School

”This piece is dedicated not only to all the girls who do not feel skinny enough, but also to all the boys. We grow up seeing images of skinny models on magazines, television and now on the Internet. !is harms the minds of kids as they grow up and makes them believe they are not good enough. !rough this piece I hope that eating disorders will be taken more seriously and brought up in conversations in order to spread awareness.”

Learn more about artnow

Museum Mindfulness: Checking In with Yourself

Visit a local art museum and bring a journal with you, something to write down some reflections. Here are a few art museums in Santa Clara County:

Here are some suggestions on how to practice mindfulness during your museum visit, while getting inspired by the art around you:

Before you enter the museum, write down how you feel that day. Be honest with yourself.
Take time to explore the art at the museum and make note of elements of the artwork that are speaking to you. This could be the symbols, colors, textures, words, sounds, etc.
Find a piece of art that speaks to you. Reflect in your journal on how the art makes you feel. What about this artwork do you like? Is there something about it that you don’t understand? Is there an idea being expressed that resonates with you?
- Draw a sketch of this artwork in your journal.
At the end of your museum visit reflect on how you feel. Do you feel differently than before your visit?
Create an artwork at home inspired by the artwork that resonated with you at the museum:
- Explore using similar materials, colors, shapes, textures, or symbols.

BE INSPIRED: HOW TO FIND INSPIRATION

Video by Lavendaire

Ever feel uninspired or in a rut? Here are some tips on how to get inspired again! No matter where you are in your journey, I hope you can find that spark of joy, light, and love within you and in your life.

// Ways to Find Inspiration

1. Make a list of things you love to do, then do them
2. Explore a hobby or learn something new
3. Go out into nature
4. Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
5. Discover new music
6. Get out of your comfort zone
7. Talk to people & learn from different perspectives
8. Journal for self discovery
9. Collect & seek inspiration
10. Relax, be patient & enjoy the ride

CALM DOWN JAR

A simple DIY calm down jar to help kids better tolerate or manage uncomfortable emotions. Presented to you by Marlena Coelho-Sousae.

Ingredients:

Corn Syrup/Glycerin
Glitter
Food Coloring

Steps:

Grab mixing bowl.
Pour in half a cup of Corn Syrup/Glycerin
Pour in half a cup of water
Mix the glycerin and water. Make sure you cannot see any of the Glycerin.
Pour the mixture back into a water bottle (using a funnel can make it easier)
Pour in a tablespoon of glitter. Use multiple sizes/colors.
Add food coloring.
Add water cap back onto the bottle and shake well.
Add a few drops of dish soap to help the glitter not get stuck on the sides of the bottle.

How to use:

This is a wonderful activity if you notice your child is feeling upset, anxious, or uncomfortable. They can grab the jar and shake it up and imagine that the glitter represents all of the different feelings they have inside. If you get them to name them out loud, it can be powerful. Just naming our emotions can greatly reduce their intensity. Tell them it is okay to have strong feelings and we can calm those thoughts and our bodies as well. One way to do this is to let our thoughts settle like glitter in the jar. As the jar is spinning, set it on a surface and calmly watch with your child until the glitter and your minds calm down. You can also have them notice all the different colors and textures. Have them explore different ways they can shake up the jar to make different patterns in the water. They can also count how long it takes for the glitter to settle in the jar. This activity engages their senses while helping them focus on the present to help reduce stress and be a relaxing distraction.

Journaling: Myth or Miraculous?

SURVIVING GRIEF: BUILDING AWARENESS THROUGH INSPIRATION

Social Media Isn’t Reality

Bringing awareness to special needs mental health

more CASSY resources

Some Extras

Below are some extra activities and resources. There are many art projects inspired by art therapy inspired activities that can help you in your own artistic practice and self reflection journey.