Each May, we recommit as a nation to fight against mental health stigma, educate the public, support those struggling with mental illnesses, and promote policies grounded in evidence-based treatment and methods. In May, AATA also takes an opportunity to spread awareness of the life-enhancing benefits of art therapy and to promote access to mental health care. This has been a difficult year for just about everyone, and talking about mental health has never been more important. Join the conversation on social media using #MentalHealthMonth! Find us on Instagram (@arttherapyorg), Twitter (@ArtTherapyOrg) and Facebook (@TheAmericanArtTherapyAssociation)!  

In partnership with over 1,000 brands, nonprofits, cultural leaders and government agencies, the American Art Therapy Association is proud to be a partner in the first-ever Mental Health Action Day! Take a moment today to take action on your own mental health. Go to MentalHealthActionDay.org to learn more and join our effort to shift from awareness to #MentalHealthAction!

As part of the American Art Therapy Association’s broader Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association is incorporating a range of antiracist and anti-oppressive publishing practices. We began by intentionally recruiting reviewers who hold various identities — racial, cultural, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, gender/gender identity, disability, and others. 

As May is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, I have been reflecting on my work with AANHPI clients. I am an East Asian immigrant, a Japanese art therapist, and a clinical social worker. When I used to work at a local government’s outpatient clinic, I rarely encountered AANHPI clients. Then, when I switched to private practice several years ago, the demographic of my clients changed. Now I see many Asian faces each week. I am sharing several stories from sessions with my AANHPI clients, hoping that they give you some understanding of AANHPI clients’ lived experiences.

Be sure to reserve your seat and join us this Saturday, May 22 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time for a virtual learning offering, which includes artmaking and will provide attendees with two credits of continuing education. This new virtual session, Exploring Art Therapy Assumptions through the Lens of Neuroscience, will be presented by Christianne Strang, PhD, ATR-BC, CEDCAT-S.

The AATA Undergraduate Subcommittee invites art therapy educators to participate in a discussion forum on Wednesday, June 9, from 1-2 p.m. EST. Heather Denning and Jonathan Haag will co-facilitate our discussion on thoughts and considerations about the UG Internship course. We hope to see you there! 

In 2020, I starting getting an influx of potential clients specifically looking for a Black therapist/art therapist. So, I gave my practice a rebrand and began creating a space that felt more authentic to the needs of these clients, many of whom continue to be underserved, undervalued, and are the target of harm and violence.

The American Art Therapy Association celebrates individual members who are making an impact in our profession and community. Every year we recognize members who are elevating the field, and we support the next generation of art therapists who will transform the profession. This is your opportunity to honor colleagues and recognize the unsung heroes and visionaries of the field or take the next step in your career. 

Read below and find more information on MyAATA for opportunities in the following categories (listed by application deadline): Nominations (Extended through May 21) Multicultural (Extended through June 15), Honors (June 15), Research (June 15) and Governmental Affairs (June 15).

The AATA is putting out the last call for nominations for AATA members to serve two-year terms (2021-2023) in the following positions: president-elect, secretary, board of directors and nominating sub-committee. Please submit candidate applications and nomination forms by tomorrow, May 21, 2021. All forms, position descriptions, and more information can be found on MyAATA. 

The following research awards and grants are available to AATA members: two Rawley Silver Research Awards, Seed Grants for Clinical Art Therapy Research, and the Gladys Agell Award for Excellence in Research. Read on for details about each award. Current and upcoming applications can be found at 2021 Award Schedule on MyAATA.

The American Art Therapy Association has opened the call for nominations for the Nancy Schoebel Distinguished Legislative Award. Nancy Schoebel was an inspiring art therapist and a vigorous advocate of art therapy at the local and national levels who made enduring contributions to the field through her advocacy work. The deadline for nominations is June 15, 2021. Please learn more about the selection criteria and nominate your colleague directly on MyAATA.

Student and professional members of the AATA are encouraged to apply for the Pearlie Roberson Annual Scholarship Award. This award honors Pearlie Roberson, an African American artist and art therapy client, and supports efforts to “explore, express, connect” to enhance the multicultural aspects of the therapeutic experience. The application deadline is coming up on June 15, 2021. Current and upcoming applications can be found at 2021 Award Schedule on MyAATA.

This year, a new honor has been added to AATA’s annual awards that recognizes an art therapist (or current art therapy student) who has made remarkable creative contributions to the profession of art therapy as an active artist. The Outstanding Applied Creative Practice Award is inspired by the life and work of art therapist, artist, author, and puppet maker Dr. Lani Gerity Glanville. Please find the application here and consider submitting an honors nomination and full supporting documents for this or another category for a deserving peer. The Honors Working Group is accepting applications through June 15, 2021.

"Thirteen-year-old Erikah didn’t like turning on their computer camera and talking during remote math class this last year. They missed being able to raise their hand to call the teacher over if they need to ask for help, and found it hard to focus on classwork in their apartment."

"Art therapy or psychotherapy produces both short-term and sustained improvements in elder patients with mild neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), according to the results of a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) in Singapore, which was presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual meeting held virtually from May 1 to May 3, 2021."

"Right off the bat, it's important to Celina Coleman that you know she takes full responsibility for the crimes that landed her in the Benton County Jail, where she speaks to a reporter via a rather complicated phone system that requires depositing money into an online account...For Coleman, art has always been a salvation, an outlet that takes her mind off of troubled times and rocky waters, and she hopes to utilize that skill and passion in a career in art therapy once she's out."

Talented and gifted Chattanooga artist Brooke NaeCole Craig Brown lived in an in-patient hospital in Atlanta. "There they introduced me to art therapy," she tells WRCBtv. "I created all of these arts as a way of coping and I kind of realized I'm really good at it. So I carried that through the rest of my life using my artistic practice as not only a way of coping but as kind of a way of understanding my body, the diseased body and also as a way to introduce humor into my life, and fun."

"In Canada, April is Sikh Heritage Month. This year’s theme was Finding Sehaj – A Journey to Peace and Tranquility. Even though April has come and gone, it is important to continue recognizing Sikh heritage."