Working to eliminate ethnic and racial disparities and improving the lives of multicultural communities

Orange County s Diversity Threshold Languages English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, Farsi Subthreshold: Chinese 30% of Orange County residents are immigrants 46% of all residents speak a language other than English at home Latinos are the largest ethnic group in Orange County with the highest poverty rate and are spread out throughout the County Orange County has the third largest Asian population in the United States, Irvine Asian population, at almost 55%, and is among the better-known hubs in addition to Westminster (75%), Garden Grove(78%), La Palma (68%), Midway City(79%), Cypress(56%), and Fountain Valley(53%), 600,000 total population

Orange County s Population Orange County s Ethnic Communities make up the majority of the County s population 2015 42% White 35% Latino 19% Asian 4% Black & Other 2040 41% Latino 33% White 20% Asian 6% Black & Other

Vietnamese - Americans 200,000 Vietnamese Orange County has the largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam

Korean-Americans 100,000 Koreans Orange County houses the second largest Korean population of any county in the nation. Orange County Koreans are the 3 rd most populous minority group based on country of origin behind residents of Mexican and Vietnamese ancestry. Koreans are concentrated North OC in Fullerton, Buena Park, but also Irvine. Orange County experienced an influx of Korean immigrants in the late 1970s and 1980s mostly through students, professionals and family petitions.

Arab-Americans 26,000 Arab Americans Islamic Society of Orange County is the largest in Southern California Immigrated because of economic and political instability, second wave after WWII Growing refugee and asylee population that needs access to social services, mental health services and language support services

Iranian-Americans 30,000 Farsi-Speaking Orange County has one of largest Farsi-Speaking communities in the United States (Irvine, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Laguna Woods, Las Flores, Laguna Niguel) Growing refugee population that needs access to social services, mental health services and language support services

Latino Community Over 1 million Latinos Santa Ana 90%, La Habra 70% 28% poverty

Evaluating A Culturally Informed Expressive Arts Program Miguel E. Gallardo, Psy.D. Professor of Psychology, Pepperdine University

The fight is never about grapes or lettuce. It is always about people. - Cesar Chavez

Cultural and Contextual Foundations Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR): Is conducted as an equal partnership between traditionally trained "experts" and members of a community. In CBPR projects, the community participates fully in all aspects of the research process. Equitable partnerships require sharing power, resources, credit, results, and knowledge, as well as a reciprocal appreciation of each partner's knowledge and skills at each stage of the project One of the principal ways in which it is different is that instead of creating knowledge for the advancement of a field or for knowledge's sake, CBPR is an iterative process, incorporating research, reflection, and action in a cyclical process. Cultural Explanatory Models (Kleinman, 1978) Explanatory models are often used to explain how people 1) view their illness in terms of how it happens, 2) what causes it, how it affects them, and 3) what will make them feel better. Explanatory models are not diagnostic tools, but more help us understand how individuals experience and interpret their conditions.

Research Evidence and Support Reducing Self-Stigma Research has shown that the most effective method for reducing stigma is through direct contact with people with mental illnesses (Corrigan & Penn, 1999). Makin & Gask (2012) conducted a research study with an organization that provides arts training to those with chronic but common mental health issues, and who recently completed or were completing a 6-month Arts on Prescription (AoP) program. These researchers found that the arts-based program provided an added value in aiding the recovery process, in ways that the use of talking therapies alone are not able to do. Participants did not see the program as a psychological treatment. Participants explained their past positive experiences with talking therapy, but noted that although the experiences were positive, they were not enough to take them back to the feeling of normalcy within their lives. Their focus on the arts gave them a coping method to deal with the distress they were experiencing. Their art pushed them to experience an increase in self-esteem, fostered by the social support they found within the classes and other participants.

Research Evidence and Support Reducing Self-Stigma Lipe, Ward, Watson, Manley, et al. (2011), conducted a research study with members of a community organization which serves individuals with mental illnesses using the recovery model. Members are typically diagnosed with schizophrenia or depression, and were all invited to participate in the project. Sessions were offered with music interventions, art interventions, and both music and art interventions. Final phase of the project, participants displayed their art projects and musical selections at a community exhibit. Results of their study demonstrated a decrease in overall levels of stress experienced by the participants. Individuals reported increased feelings of relaxation, fun, creativity, self-expression, sense of belonging, empowerment and better coping and socialization skills.

Research Evidence and Support Reducing Self-Stigma Heenan (2006) conducted a research study with participants involved in a community-based organization This study s intent was to explore the experiences and perceptions of service users in using art as a therapeutic intervention. Participants expressed increased self-esteem, enjoyment in participating in a safe and supportive place, and feelings of empowerment. They felt an increase in their self-esteem and confidence, which allowed them to express themselves and interact with others more effectively. Participants expressed that the classes were a support system for them to discuss their mental health difficulties and further be more equipped with better coping skills in combating negative emotions.

Research Evidence and Support Reducing Public Stigma Quinn, Shulman, Knifton, & Byrne (2011) conducted a study that focused on the impact of mental health art events on participants knowledge and attitudes regarding mental health, and how stigma was influenced by these events. Data demonstrated changes in the attitudes of the participants regarding art and stigma. Qualitative data were noted the importance of decreasing mental health stigma while being more receptive to all people. Many participants expressed their intentions to change their behaviors towards mental health discrimination. Quantitative data results showed that art events can have a positive effect on the perception that individuals have regarding mental health and their attitudes.

MECCA OUTCOMES 2011 63% Who viewed the art exhibits stated that the exhibits positively changed their perspective about individuals who have a mental illness. 2013 As a result of the art classes, I see myself more positively: (Please describe) I feel more confident and sure of myself. Yes, I discovered that I can do more for myself through utilizing my talents. From the artwork that I've done, I feel that I can accomplish more things in life than I thought I could. I never thought I could do art and now, at the end of the class, I see that I can. 2015 Consumer Agency Specific Exhibits: This art exhibit made me feel proud and helped me feel more self-confident.- 67% - Yes I realized that I can do better in my life 68%- Yes 2015 Consumer Family Festival: This art exhibit made me feel proud and helped me feel more self-confident.- 79% - Yes I realized that I can do better in my life 77%- Yes 2015 Family Festival: Who viewed the art exhibits stated that the exhibits positively changed their perspective about individuals who have a mental illness. - 79% - Yes

Reducing Mental Health Stigma through the Arts by Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, Founder and CEO Orange County Children s Therapeutic Arts Center 2215North Broadway, Santa Ana www.occtac.org (714) 547-5468

Reducing Mental Health Stigma through the Arts

Reducing Mental Health Stigma through the Arts The Arts is a creative and powerful way to reduce mental health stigma. At MECCA we believe that we can make a positive impact of reducing mental health stigma by providing participants the opportunity to engage in the Creative Arts to express their Emotions about Mental Health Stigma; At MECCA we believe that the Arts can engage and bring people together, including: mental health consumers, family members and the public in general to participate in artistic exhibits/events, and provide attendees a different lens through which they view those with a mental illness (Gallardo, 2011); At MECCA we believe that it is important to bring multiple cultures together to educate individuals in these communities about the stigma of mental health in their communities, and provide them with the resources they need to reduce stigma in society.

Reducing Mental Health Stigma through the Arts Research has shown that the most effective method for reducing stigma is through direct contact with people with mental illnesses (Corrigan & Penn, 1999), and art events are a great way of bringing people together. In addition to providing opportunities for interacting with the general public during performances and exhibits, art opens the door for more extensive and personal contact between consumers and non-consumer artists participating in the program. The Arts promote Social Inclusion and Reduce Discrimination in the following ways: 1. Art events encourage interactions among consumers and the public. 2. Art events encourage extensive interactions between consumers and non-consumer artists and volunteers. 3. Creating art can serve as a positive example and provide hope to other consumers. 4. Displaying artwork by consumers helps providers see consumers as people rather than as clinical cases. 5. Artwork can serve as a springboard for discussion or disseminating information about mental health issues. 6. Creating artwork allows consumers to define themselves by their abilities rather than their disabilities.

Reducing Mental Health Stigma through the Arts Goals of MECCA: Explore the stigma of mental illness, both from a consumer perspective and from a culturally competent community-based perspective, through an expression of the arts. Bring communities together in order to acknowledge the presence of stigma & to find community-based creative solutions to being to address this stigma. Reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness in a culturally competent manner.

MECCA s Stigma Reduction Arts Program Drawing-Out Stigma Key Components of the Program: Series of Visual Art Workshops (4-6 weeks) Community Exhibit (1 month) Community Dialogue with Special Guest A Multicultural (Music/Art/Dance) Festival and Art Exhibition

MECCA s Stigma Reduction Arts Program Drawing-out Stigma Art Workshops

Drawing Out Emotions of Stigma

Drawing Out Stigma Arts Program Framing the Art Work

Drawing Out Emotions of Stigma Writing the Statements

Drawing Out Emotions of Stigma Sample of Youth Statements Depression - "Sometimes happiness is suffocated by those dark thoughts and feelings that sometimes you just explode with all those feelings bottled up. Silence is the most powerful scream. This quote inspired my art work by knowing that if you keep things bottled up, the darkness starts suffocating all the light inside. Depression - "As teens we go through a lot more than people think. Depression interrupts your everyday life and you sometimes feel like a fish out of water." Hope & Loneliness Hope are the bright colors..loneliness are the dark colors.and white represents emptiness.that is how I feel about my Emotions. Peaceful - "I feel peaceful doing art." Happy - "I feel happy in my art class."

Drawing Out Stigma Community Exhibit

Drawing Out Stigma Community Dialogue

2017 Stigma Arts Festival at the Bowers Museum on Sunday, May 7

Overview of the Creative Arts Modalities Visual Arts Music Dance Drama Poetry Others (Spoken word, Photography, etc.)

Unique Characteristics of the Creative Arts Self-Expression Active Participation Imagination Mind-Body Connections Sensory-based & Multi-Sensorial

Self-expression

Active Participation

Imagination

Mind & Body Connection

Sensory-based and Multi-sensorial

Youth and the Arts

Why the Arts?

Creative Arts, Community-based Programs and Prevention The Creative Arts are integrated into daily activities that motivate children and youth to learn, grow and develop in all different areas of development. Youth engage in fun, positive, creative arts activities that help divert from negative social problems. Youth engage in Creative Arts programming that facilitate positive Emotional and Creative expression. Creative Arts activities encourage youth to engage in healthy social interactions, collaboration, peer modeling and support in communitybased programs. Children/youth are empowered and build their confidence and selfesteem in community-based programs that use the Creative Arts. For Example: Completing a work of Art or participating in Community Performances can raise a Child s Confidence and Self- worth, and provides a Sense of Accomplishment!

Therapeutic Benefits of the Creative Arts Emotional and Creative Expression Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication Enhance Positive Attachment Enhance Relationship with Others Relaxation and Stress Reduction Heal Psychological Wounds Sensory experiences to support positive self-regulation Reparation, Recovery & Trauma Integration in children exposed to violence

Creative Therapies and/or Expressive Arts Therapies Music Therapy Art Therapy Dance/movement Therapy Drama Therapy Integrated Arts or Multimodal approach Others (poetry therapy, play therapy, sand tray therapy, etc.)

Benefits of Art Therapy