2. #Movies4MentalHealth
About Your Facilitator
Alex Reynolds, they/them
• Columbia College alum
• Workshop Manager at Art With
Impact
• Worked in non-profit theatre for
10 years
• Environmentalist, puppet and
cosplay fabricator
• Lives with a partner, two dogs, a
fish and a snail
• Animation and video game
enthusiast
4. #Movies4MentalHealth
HERE’S THE PLAN
● Setting the scene together
● Watch and discuss films, connect our
minds and bodies
● Panel of students and resources
● Evaluation
(and a chance to enter to win $25!)
● Mingle / Q&A
#Movies4MentalHealth
5. #Movies4MentalHealth
Mental health is personal – YOU are the expert
on your own experience
This is a public, shared space
Some photos will be taken during the panel -
please let us know if you are not comfortable
with that
Please take care of yourself however
you need, including asking for help
HEADS UP
#Movies4MentalHealth
6. #Movies4MentalHealth
IN JUST A FEW WORDS...
What has self-care been
looking like for you these days?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Shopping
● Movies
● Finding quiet places in the city
● Matcha Tea break
● Spring Training
●
9. #Movies4MentalHealth
Some movies and TV shows
that show mental illness…
#Movies4MentalHealth
●Blood Brother
Words on Bathroom Walls
Euphoria
13 Reasons Why
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Perks of Being of a Wallflower
11. #Movies4MentalHealth
MH ACROSS CULTURES
Across different cultures and languages, people talk
about and explore mental health in multiple ways.
In just a few words, please share:
How have you experienced the concept of "mental
health" within your own cultural communities?
● Lack of faith is the reason for depression in Black
Christian household
● Mental health = lack of effort, “bad mindset,” just need to
“get over it”
● Generational gap, believing they didn’t need help, left to
younger generation to take care of ourselves
● Explained in extremes; lesser known symptoms not
taught
15. #Movies4MentalHealth
SHARE WITH US:
What did you think?
How did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Generalized view of mental health
● Lots has changed regarding stigma in last 10
years since the film; but taking meds to survive
office job has not
● Mental illness doesn’t have to be fought on
your own
● Nature / urban images balance
17. #Movies4MentalHealth
What makes it difficult to
reach out for help?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● When representation isn’t there, hard to find
community
● Trying to appease parents
● Feeling guilty, feels wrong for feeling that way
● Misconceptions about mental health makes you
feel alone
● Should be able to manage on your own
● Feeling like a burden on others
● Help that you receive might not be enough
22. #Movies4MentalHealth
SHARE WITH US:
What did you think?
How did you feel?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Progression of frustration and tone of voice reflects
the difficulty of anxiety
● “False face,” “saying you’re fine” in spite of
challenges; making yourself fine for others
● Brought up extremes in society, not seeing
neutrality in the middle; “true self” is when in crisis
● As creatives, have constant work-drive; rest feels
selfish
● Important not to belittle emotions
23. #Movies4MentalHealth
What are some practices
that support your wellness?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Writing
● Meeting with therapist
● Being social
● Using your PTO
● Rest as a “radical act” - rest as care
● Being active
● Setting authentic boundaries
28. #Movies4MentalHealth
What are your impressions?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Hard to identify with different experiences
● The idea of choice in physical
representation inspiring to see
● Great example of validating support system
● Helps seeing different experience; helps to
feel compassion and understand
● “Family” as default language, power of
community – deep celebration and
validation/affirmation from folks who “get it”
● Always navigating safety in the “real world”
● Fear of being perceived; waking up
conscious of core of identities
● Navigating gender identities was a little too
connected with drag and performance; one
is not required for the other
29. #Movies4MentalHealth
How can we support
ourselves and others?
#Movies4MentalHealth
● Not pathologizing identity; recognizing joy and
trauma coexist
● Lead with compassion and open-mindedness
● Don’t invalidate emotions
● Make room for the spectrum of human
emotion
● Intentionally celebrate expression of needs
● Creating space within communities / leaving
space for conversation
31. #Movies4MentalHealth
Art With Impact:
Continued Connections
Exclusive community events and spaces
Arts-based discussion trainings
Interview and discussion opportunities
Weekly art + wellness prompts
Scan the QR code to learn more!
bit.ly/awi-cc
32. #Movies4MentalHealth
MEET THE PANEL
Ryhen Miller (she/her)
Student Facilitator for Student Leadership, Student Life,
Columbia College Chicago
Paige Johnson (she/they)
Undergrad Student, Creative Writing, Columbia College Chicago
Emily Battle (she/her)
Director of Counseling Services, Columbia College Chicago
Charee Mosby-Holloway (she/her)
Director, Student Diversity and Inclusion, Columbia College Chicago
Thomas “Lee” Cravens II (he/him)
Director of Student Relations, Student Relations,
Columbia College Chicago
33. #Movies4MentalHealth
Please fill out the evaluation!
@artwithimpact
info@artwithimpact.org
#Movies4MentalHealth
You can enter for a chance to win a $25 gift!
If you are receiving credit for attending this workshop,
at the end of the evaluation, you’ll be prompted to add your
information to a sign-in sheet.
Evaluation responses will remain separate and anonymous.
