This past month, Students Advocating for Mental Health (SAM) club has been working to celebrate Mental Health Awareness month by contributing to the Minds In Motion Mental Health Event at the Corvallis Community Center on May 25th, 2024. SAM has been in collaboration with the Benton County Suicide Prevention coalition to host this event and bring the mural into action through a generous grant in early May. The theme of the mural is “Express Yourself” and had the goal of showcasing various student interpretations of mental health through fun arrays of colorful 4×4 wood tiles. 

Though it was hard to get turn out for student participation, we managed with a mighty handful of members and volunteers to create the mural and put it together by the deadline. To assemble the piece, there were multiple after-school work days where students could show up and create art on a tile or a few to contribute to the overall picture. 

At the event, the club hosted different creative activities that correlated with mental health and calming activities such as clay sculpting, painting, drawing, and stress reliefs like play-dough. Other organizations were present and held their own tables and activities, including yoga and stress relief animals. It was an open and welcoming environment that provided food and space for the community of corvallis to participate in mental health advocacy and training on QPR for youth through adult citizens. 

As the next month approaches, SAM club will continue meeting on Thursdays at lunch to prepare for June being men’s mental health awareness month, and getting a start on finding a permanent home for the mural! Students are always welcome to participate and contribute what they want to bring to the club, Crescent Valley, and communities both local and beyond.