ELAN’s ArtEd Mental Health Initiative
The ArtEd Mental Health Initiative started in 2021 and is currently in its second year. In order to better equip Teaching Artists in meeting student needs, ELAN ArtEd offers Teaching Artists professional development in Mental Health through learning communities targeting Children and Pre-teens ages 5-14, Youth ages 15-29 and Seniors ages 65+. In the 2021-22 school year, the project reached 14 Teaching Artists, 60 schools and community organizations, and over 3400 youth. They also received a major increase in funding (33%) for the youth initiative.
The program has connected with 25 community organizations across Quebec by attending multiple Communities of Practice including the CHSSN Mental Health Initiative Retreat in Saint-Raymond, Quebec, and a networking lunch in Montreal.
Here’s an overview of some of the 2022 Mental Health Initiative
- In 2021-22, the project reached:
- 14 Teaching Artists, of which 5 identify as youth (under 35 years of age)
- 60 school and community organisations
- Over 3400 youth
- This program is growing!
- The program grew from a youth-centred initiative to now train Teaching Artists working with Children and Pre-Teens ages 5-14, and Seniors ages 55+
- The program grew from a youth-centred initiative to now train Teaching Artists working with Children and Pre-Teens ages 5-14, and Seniors ages 55+
- Connected with 25 community organizations across Quebec by attending multiple Communities of Practice including the CHSSN Mental Health Initiative Retreat in Saint-Raymond, QC and a Montreal networking lunch
- Partnered with QWF, QDF and CHSSN for Artist recruitment. This year, there are::
- 12 Teaching Artists in the Youth learning community
- 11 Teaching Artists in the Child and Pre-Teen learning community
- 11 Teaching Artists in the Seniors learning community