Aspirus Merrill Hospital, 2024 Community Benefits
Addressing Youth Mental Health with Art
Youth mental health is a critical issue that often goes unaddressed or stigmatized, despite its prevalence and impact on individuals and communities.
“We can see that anxiety and depression have spiked since the advent of cell phones and social media,” says Richard Satterwaite, LPC, Aspirus Clinical Therapist. “Now you throw in a couple years of COVID and it’s produced a group of people that don’t do well in social situations.”
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Raise Your Voice and RISEUP Central Wisconsin are collaborating to empower youth and provide them with avenues for expression and support. Aspirus Health has a relationship with both organizations and aims to capitalize on a collaborative approach to help address a growing issue.
“We’re leveraging the power of art to facilitate healing and dialogue around mental health by creating a mural about mental health,” says Tara Draeger, Aspirus System Community Health & Health Equity Director.
As part of this initiative, workshops are being organized to give students from local high schools a platform to share their experiences and emotions through art. These workshops serve as safe spaces where participants can explore their feelings, struggles, and hopes, while professional artists help them translate those experiences into visual representations.
The resulting murals will not only serve as tangible symbols of resilience and solidarity but also spark conversations and raise awareness about youth mental health within the community. By amplifying the voices of young people and promoting understanding, the initiative aims to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of support and acceptance.
“I believe the answer to the problems in our world lies within our youth,” says Allie Libby, Merrill High School Associate Principal. “Hopefully, the experiences from this program will have a positive effect in the communities of these students.”
Merrill High School has the longest history with Raise Your Voice launching in 2019. Club in north central Wisconsin. Tomahawk High School launched Rise up in 2024 after attending a workshop with students from Merrill, Wausau, Marathon, Antigo and Stevens Point.
The collaboration between Raise Your Voice, RISEUP Central Wisconsin, and Aspirus represents a step towards addressing youth mental health. By harnessing the power of art and providing safe spaces for expression, these initiatives are sparking essential conversations and fostering resilience within our communities.
“We can see that anxiety and depression have spiked since the advent of cell phones and social media,” says Richard Satterwaite, LPC, Aspirus Clinical Therapist. “Now you throw in a couple years of COVID and it’s produced a group of people that don’t do well in social situations.”
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, Raise Your Voice and RISEUP Central Wisconsin are collaborating to empower youth and provide them with avenues for expression and support. Aspirus Health has a relationship with both organizations and aims to capitalize on a collaborative approach to help address a growing issue.
“We’re leveraging the power of art to facilitate healing and dialogue around mental health by creating a mural about mental health,” says Tara Draeger, Aspirus System Community Health & Health Equity Director.
As part of this initiative, workshops are being organized to give students from local high schools a platform to share their experiences and emotions through art. These workshops serve as safe spaces where participants can explore their feelings, struggles, and hopes, while professional artists help them translate those experiences into visual representations.
The resulting murals will not only serve as tangible symbols of resilience and solidarity but also spark conversations and raise awareness about youth mental health within the community. By amplifying the voices of young people and promoting understanding, the initiative aims to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and foster a culture of support and acceptance.
“I believe the answer to the problems in our world lies within our youth,” says Allie Libby, Merrill High School Associate Principal. “Hopefully, the experiences from this program will have a positive effect in the communities of these students.”
Merrill High School has the longest history with Raise Your Voice launching in 2019. Club in north central Wisconsin. Tomahawk High School launched Rise up in 2024 after attending a workshop with students from Merrill, Wausau, Marathon, Antigo and Stevens Point.
The collaboration between Raise Your Voice, RISEUP Central Wisconsin, and Aspirus represents a step towards addressing youth mental health. By harnessing the power of art and providing safe spaces for expression, these initiatives are sparking essential conversations and fostering resilience within our communities.
