Maryland Department of Disabilities: Weekly Blog

Mrs. Hogan poses with young artist at art show

Celebrating Through Art!

Carrie McGraw

Governor Hogan declared May 1st through 7th Children's Mental Health Awareness Week in Maryland. To bring recognition to this campaign, Mrs. Hogan hosted a youth art display at the House Office Building in Annapolis. Celebrating Through Art: The First Lady's Youth Mental Health Awareness Art Display grand opening and reception was held on May 2nd and welcomed over 175 student artists, teachers, service providers, and state government officials. The youth were asked to depict

Campaign partners pose with Mrs. Hogan and proclamation

something which made them feel mentally happy, healthy, and hopeful. Fourty-four students participated from thirty schools throughout Maryland. Youth artists with and without disabilities came together as one artistic voice to highlight the importance of good mental health for all children in Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Disabilities, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-Behavioral Health Administration, Maryland State Department of Education, Mental Health Association of Maryland, Maryland Coalition of Families, and the Center for School Mental Health have partnered on this initiative to bring attention to the need for unified and aligned strategies when addressing children's mental health needs in our state.

The art show will run May 1st through May 12th at the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis. We are extremely proud of all the student artists and very appreciative to Maryland's First Lady for being our gracious host. Please enjoy our captioned slide show of the reception and many pieces from the display at the below link.

Smilebox Slideshow