Move For Mental Health 2022

We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. Within the first year of the pandemic, the WHO stated that depression and anxiety grew by 25%. In 2020, Mental Health America found 56% of adults with a mental illness received no treatment, which is roughly 27 million Americans without care. Another national survey by America's Promise Alliance reported that out of 3,300 high schoolers ⅓ felt unhappy and depressed much more than usual.

The Art Therapy Project (TATP) provides a support system led by professional art therapists to our most vulnerable populations. TATP offers free art therapy to adults and youth affected by trauma in New York City. Did you know that art enhances brain function by impacting brain wave patterns, emotions as well as the nervous system? Participating in art can raise serotonin levels and access many of the advanced processes of the human brain, such as intuitive analysis, expressivity and embodied cognition.

Move For Mental Health is a month-long self-care and fitness fundraiser dedicated to raising funds for TATP's free art therapy programs. Participants can move in whichever way they choose; running, yoga, tennis, pilates, the list goes on. Their supporters can either make a one-time donation or pledge a specified amount for each minute of exercise the participant completes. All proceeds from Move for Mental Health fund art therapy programs for trauma survivors including veterans, at-risk youth, survivors of sexual abuse, the LGBQTIA+ Community, front line and essential workers.

Move for Mental Health is a campaign led by The Young Professionals Leadership Group (YPLG), a group of volunteers dedicated to raising awareness and funds for The Art Therapy Project. This year's event is co-chaired by TATP board member and YPLG co-chair, Sarah Staller, and YPLG co-chair, Maria Edwards.