The Spring Peer Mental Health Support Group provides an opportunity for Disabled-identifying people and those exploring their relationship to disability identity to share and hold space for one another in an accessible and virtual setting. The group is held virtually via Zoom on Mondays from 5-6pm CT, with one Monday off each month.

Facilitated by disabled art therapist Bri Beck, LCPC, ATR and art-therapists in-training B Randolph and Miriam Austin-Wright, this group is meant for participants to share current concerns, thoughts/emotions, and offer support to others through validation, encouragement, and even practical ideas to cope. Each month, we will explore a different theme and its relevance in each of our lives. Sometimes, we will explore the theme using art as a way to express ourselves.

This group is not considered, nor should it be a substitute for traditional group therapy. However, topics of mental health, emotional wellness, self-advocacy, and healthy relationships will be addressed in a structured and confidential space.

Participants may attend as many or as few group meetings as needed. Group norms will be reviewed every week.

You can email bbeck@accessliving.org with any questions or access needs.

Additional Details for Joining via Zoom:

Meeting ID: 838 4227 5642

Passcode: AL2024

February:

• Monday, February 12
• Monday, February 19
• Monday, February 26

March:

• Monday, March 11
• Monday, March 18
• Monday, March 25

April:

• Monday, April 8
• Monday, April 15
• Monday, April 22

Access Information:

Automatic captioning is available in Zoom. 

Due to high demand for live captioning (CART) and ASL interpretation services, we are asking participants to submit access requests 2-3 weeks in advance. Please contact bbeck@accessliving.org with requests.

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Sponsor Information:

The Spring Peer Mental Health Support Group is brought to you by the Arts and Culture Project at Access Living, Bodies of Work: Network of Disability Art and Culture, and the Disability Culture Activism Lab (DCAL).

DCAL is a teaching lab housed under the department of art therapy and counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a platform for creative disability art and advocacy projects, DCAL uses a peer support and a collective care model in which disability community members and art therapy graduate students collaborate as disability culture makers for social change. Bodies of Work is a part of the Department of Disability and Human Development within the College of Applied Health Sciences at University of Illinois-Chicago.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.