Mental Health 101

“Up to 60% of people report worse mental health during the holidays.”

- More people contact helplines during stressful periods and holidays. Studies show higher helpline call volumes during these times.

 In Zimbabwe and similar settings, holiday stress can be stronger because of economic pressure and limited access to care.

• Normalize your feelings: “It’s okay to not feel okay during the holidays.”
• Recognize environmental factors such as seasonal shifts, work pressure and personal obligations that may offset your

Maintain small, low-cost coping habits: 

10–30 minutes outside, gentle exercise, regulated sleep, limiting alcohol, and talking to someone trusted.

• Crisis contacts and local mental health resources.
• Avoid Isolation: try short check-in circles, shared activities, and community meetings.

• UMass Mindfulness Center
• The Big Joy Project
• Samaritans
• Musicares
• HeyPeers
• The Adrift Site
• The Longevity Vault

• International Expressive Arts Therapy Association (IEATA)
• Expressive Art Therapy Toolkit
• 10 Art Therapy Exercises for Trauma Recovery
• 10 Best Art Therapy Activities for Stress Reduction
• Music Therapy for Kids w/ Autism
• Autism Parenting Magazine

• International Suicide Hotline Listings 
• Wikipedia: List of suicide crisis lines

• Hidden Brain
• Berkeley Greater Good
• Everything Explained by Ducks
• Sketching Serenity Great Meditations

• Apple Health
• Google Fit
• Sleep Cycle
• The Yoga Journal
• Yoga w/Adriene 

• Insight Timer
• Calm
• Headspace
• Remember The Milk
• Smiling Mind
• LetterLife for Women
• 7 Cups

Art therapy themes are created on a monthly basis by our Medical Advisors for individuals with mental health conditions, chronic/terminal illness, physical/mental impairments,

trauma, addiction, PTSD, & burnout.

• Each Open Call lasts for the month to allow space to fully explore the theme. 
• Create in the manner & medium that is unique to you.
• Recognize that healing is the goal rather than perfection.

• We feature 25 - 45 submitted works per month from the international community to inspire you on your creative journey. 
• Our Art Judges and Staff also submit work to provide style guidance for those new to the Arts.

• The 34 Gallery offers professional art critiques for our selected artists, which can assist in securing additional career and creative opportunities.
• Please note: We can only provide critiques for work that has been accepted in our Open Calls or Interludes.

• Certificates of Honor are also provided as proof of Open Call participation. 
• All 34 Gallery Artists are able to attain professional recommendation letters for employment and/or school upon request. 

Additional mental health arts advocacy positions include serving as volunteer Art Judges, Article Contributors, and Staff.