Museum of Durham History

Explore Mental Wellness with The Art Wellness Exchange

Welcome to The Art Wellness Exchange – a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting mental health awareness and strengthening community bonds through art and storytelling. These FREE, standalone 90 minute teen-focused sessions, conducted by licensed mental health clinicians from Hand Made Dreams, are a collaboration between the MoDH, Hand Made Dreams, DPS Foundation, Museum of Life and Science, the sponsor organizations and Durhamites to explore the isolating challenges faced during the pandemic, and how it affects us today. Register today for your session via Eventbrite!

Adults Welcome: It truly takes a village to guide and prepare our young people for the world to come. We invite adult community members: parents, guardians, educators, caregivers, etc. who are interested in support resources to join us for a special experience – as we explore the many aspects of self-care to promote a holistic approach to wellbeing. These parallel sessions will run simultaneously to the teen-focused sessions on April 27 in a separate area at Life + Science.

Understanding the Challenges: Studies show that youth today face increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression due to various factors such as health concerns, disrupted routines, reduced social interactions, and academic pressures.

Our Approach: The Art Wellness Exchange provides a safe and creative space for teens to explore mental health topics in familiar settings, with the goal of reducing stigma and supporting their mental well-being journey.

The Gateway to Healing | Reflections of the Upside Down: Inspired by the hit show “Stranger Things,” and the Museum of Durham History’s exhibit, Stranger Times, our program dives into various mental wellness themes. Through characters like Veneca from the Upside Down, teens confront their fears, share experiences, and gain valuable insights.

Program Overview:

• Bridging the Gap: Empathy v. Sympathy: Teens explore self-care and empathy, learning to understand others’ emotions.
• Discovering Your Voice: Empowering teens to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts.
• Cultivating Healthy Relationships: Encouraging proactive mental wellness strategies and boundary setting.

Sample Mini Session: Bridging the Gap

• Introduction
• Presentation of Stranger Times, inspired by “Stranger Things” and independent survey of the exhibit
• Discussion on empathy v. sympathy
• Reflective activities in pairs and groups, active listening, mindfulness, and conflict resolution
• Facilitator Q&A and resource sharing

Important Note: While The Art Wellness Exchange offers valuable insights and support, it is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment. It serves as a platform for dialogue and community building.

Please arrive early for complimentary refreshments to snack on during the session!

Join us on this transformative journey as we explore the power of art in nurturing mental well-being and fostering connections. Let’s embark on this journey together, we look forward to seeing you there! Contact: info@modh.org or call 919.246.9993 for more information.