Congratulations to the Creative Arts Therapy division of Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s psychiatry department for receiving an official proclamation from the office of Senator Leroy Comrie. This is a remarkable accomplishment as proclamations are usually reserved by government officials to commemorate exemplary achievements or milestones.
In the proclamation Senator Comrie honored and acknowledged members of the department including Dr. Seeth Vivek ,Tony Maffia, Heather Grey, Michelle Hololob and others for their outstanding work in raising community awareness on mental health and most importantly for organizing this year’s Therapeutic Art Display- Mandalas, Explorations and Other Self-Reflections. During the display the main lobby of the hospital was transformed into an impressive art gallery by the group.
Beautiful pieces of art created anonymously by patients were exhibited in an effort to educate the community about the benefits of creative arts therapy in treating mental illnesses. This form of therapy encourages self- exploration, helps organize emotions and has a profoundly positive effect on mental well-being.
One of the major goals of the psychiatry department this year was to help erase the negative stigmas associated with mental illness through education. They have been very successful in achieving this goal by executing several community outreach campaigns. We are elated that the department has received this recognition for their hard work and as stated by Ms. Hololob, “It’s an honor and much appreciated!”