The awareness and recognition of mental health problems that has recently been brought among society, particularly in the Los Angeles community has not been enough to make a dramatic change. Mental health affects all of us; yet as a community we still don’t consider its significance carefully enough. However, for the past year the Banyan Foundation and its Youth Leadership Council elucidated the significance of mental health specifically for youth through the visual and performing arts.
For anyone who has been affected by or is currently being affected by mental health issues whether it be stress, anxiety, depression, or any classified or non-classified, the Banyan Foundation is here to convey to you that it’s okay. And even if it might not seem okay at the moment, it will be because it’s not something to be ashamed or fearful of. We’ve all heard the statement that no matter what one is going through, someone has it worse. That statement is antagonizing. It’s emotionally dismissive and it teaches that our personal struggles are insignificant. Bipolar is not just a phrase. Suicide is not just an escape. Self-harm is not just a cry for attention. PTSD is not something one can just snap out of.
As a result, the Banyan Foundation 2019 Leadership Council devoted their time and best efforts to research, seek, and contact various organizations spread throughout Los Angeles who combat, bring awareness, and help youths and teens struggling with mental health through the visual performing arts. To that end, the four organizations that stood out immensely were The David Lynch Foundation, PS Arts, Free Arts and The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), all to which differ in using their own unique style of reaching out to youth; yet all have clear visions to achieve the same goal.
As the 2018-2019 Banyan Foundation narrows down to an end, we leave with a message that can be pondered amongst those who can support youths and teens by bringing awareness, joining the movement, and supporting one another through difficult times. We thank Brian Werdesheim, Dr. John Carroll, Savannah Pincus, Mitch Kirsch, the Youth Leadership Council, and parents for the support given to finally bring an effective amount of awareness to a factor affecting many lives today.
