Express Yourself: Promoting Mental Health Through Art and Sensory Experiences
Help me give my students a space to explore their feelings, goals, challenges, and strengths through art and sensory experiences. Sometimes the best way to promote mental health and calm is through activities and tapping into our senses!
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Project
I am a high school psychiatric social worker during a time when it is incredibly difficult to be a high school student. In addition to the usual academic and social pressures, our students are also trying to navigate coming of age during the fallout of a global pandemic and rising social unrest. Students at my school have many additional barriers to academic and life success including poverty (over 90% of students I work with qualify for free or reduced lunch), language barriers (nearly 25% of my students are English learners), and unmet mental health needs. My students are special because despite their challenges, they show up to learn, grow, and THRIVE.
I am creating an art and sensory-focused therapeutic space in my office where students can identify their feelings, acknowledge their strengths, navigate their challenges, and use their voices to express themselves.
The art and sensory space will be used everyday in individual, group, and inclusivity-focused club settings. The fidgets and weighted stuffed animal will support anxiety relief and emotional regulation. The art supplies (paint, canvas, posters, markers, stones, beading materials, and diamond painting) will allow students to engage in expressive art therapy activities. The posters, paint markers, and mental health stickers will be used by student Mental Health Advocate club members to create mental health campaign materials, de-stigmatize mental health, and promote an inclusive, positive school environment. The notebooks will be used for mental health writing exercises. The organizing bins and labeler will help keep the space (and my brain!) organized, peaceful, and calm.
This new space will be a much needed creative outlet for my students. Thank you for contributing and giving my students the tools they need to express themselves!
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
Betem 48 Colors Dual Tip Acrylic Paint Pens Markers, Premium Acrylic Paint Pens for Wood, Canvas, Stone, Rock Painting, Glass, Ceramic Surfaces, DIY Crafts Making Art Supplies
• Amazon Business
$26.99
2
$53.98
EOOUT 60 Pack A5 Kraft Notebooks, Composition Notebooks Lined Journal Bulk, 15 Colors with Rainbow Spines, 60 Pages for Kids Women Girls, School Office Supplies
• Amazon Business
$43.99
1
$43.99
Simetufy Canvas Boards for Painting 52 Pack 8 x 10 Inch Blank Canvas Panels 100% Cotton Canvases Pre-Primed for Acrylic & Oil Paint
• Amazon Business
$35.99
1
$35.99
Citylife 1.3 QT 10 Pack Small Storage Bins Plastic Storage Container Stackable Box with Lids for Organizing, Clear White
• Amazon Business
$34.67
1
$34.67
MOZACI Fidget Toys, 120 Pack Fidgets Set Stocking Stuffers for Kids Party Favors Autism Sensory Toy Bulk Adults Kids Boys Girls Teens Stress Autistic ADHD Anxiety Carnival Treasure Classroom Prizes
• Amazon Business
$16.99
2
$33.98
IRIS USA 13 Qt Stackable Plastic Storage Bins with Lids, 6 Pack - BPA-Free, Made in USA - See-Through Organizing Solution, Latches, Durable Nestable Containers, Secure Pull Handle - Clear
• Amazon Business
$33.45
1
$33.45
meowtastic Brown Dog Weighted Stuffed Animals - 22 Inch 4.5 Pounds Weighted Plush Dog Stuffed Animals - Big Stuffed Dog Weighted Plush Pillow - Cute Plush Toys Gifts for Kids & Adults (22" 4.5 lbs)
• Amazon Business
$31.99
1
$31.99
Assorted Candy Variety Pack - Individually Wrapped Party Candy Assortment - Candy For Every Occasion! (32 Ounces)
• Amazon Business
$21.87
1
$21.87
Phomemo D30 Label Maker Machine, Portable Bluetooth Mini Label Printer, Smart Phone Handheld Thermal Sticker Small Labeler Multiple Templates Font Icon Inkless for Home Office
• Amazon Business
$18.98
1
$18.98
VinTS 50 Pcs Colored Poster Boards,11.7x16.5 Inches 10 Assorted Color Poster Board Paper 220g Bright Poster Board Bulk for Back to School Arts, Classroom Crafts, Exhibits and Notices
• Amazon Business
$18.69
1
$18.69
lifetop 120PCS Painting Rocks, DIY Rocks Flat & Smooth Kindness Rocks for Arts, Crafts, Decoration, Medium/Small/Tiny Rocks for Painting,Hand Picked for Painting Rocks…
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Friendship Bracelet Kit Concert Bracelets Merch, 14000pcs 48 Colors Bracelet Making Kit Clay Beads with Number Letter Beads Set Birthday Party Merch Gift for Women Kids Teen Crafts Jewelry Making
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
School Smart 1485739 Railroad Board, 4-ply Thickness, 22" x 28", Assorted Color 25 Count, (Pack of 1)
• Amazon Business
$14.99
1
$14.99
Phomemo D30 Label Tape, Long Sticker Thermal Paper Self-Adhesive D30 Label Maker Tape Continuous Consumables, Black on White, 15mm x 6m (0.59 x 236.22 Inch) 3-Roll
• Amazon Business
$13.99
1
$13.99
LIFEBE 300Pcs Mental Health Stickers Mental Health Awareness Stickers for Laptop, Water Bottles, Luggage, Computer, Aesthetic Decal for Teens and Adults
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
8 Pcs Landscape Diamond Painting Coasters with Holder, Diamond Art Coasters for Beginners, Adults & Beginner Diamond Art Kits for Adults, Craft Supplies.Full Drill Dots Arts Craft Home Wall Art Decor
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
ijbnhd Mandala Diamond Painting Coasters Kit with Holder,Cork Wooden Pad+Board Double Layer is Strong and Wear-Resistant,DIY Diamond Art Coasters for Beginners Adults Art Craft Supplies Gift
• Amazon Business
$9.98
1
$9.98
200PCS Positive Motivational Words Stickers for Adults, Inspirational Quote Stickers for Teens Kids Teachers Employees, Water Bottle Stickers for Laptop Vision Board Hydroflasks Journaling Scrapbook
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Freshware Plastic Portion Cups with Lids [2 Ounce, 100 Sets] Disposable Plastic Cups for Meal Prep, Salad Dressing, Jellos Shot Cups, Souffle Cups, Condiment and Dipping Sauce Cups
• Amazon Business
$7.99
1
$7.99
Materials cost
$441.49
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$40.40
3rd party payment processing fee
$6.62
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$518.51
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$91.50
Total project goal
$610.01
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$610.01
2 Donors
-$601.19
Donations toward project cost
-$518.51
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Kueneman and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
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