UW-Superior Makes Room For Mental Health Discussion and Art
The university held a community conversation surrounding mental health and "Waiting for Beds"
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — UW-Superior is continuing to put an emphasis on mental health. Today, the Department of Social Work hosted a community discussion about mental health and the lack of options in Douglas County for people in crisis.
The panel took place in the Kruk Gallery, which is the current home of “Waiting for Beds,” a collaborative art project between Moira Villiard and Carla Hamilton. The artists describe the exhibit as a way to explore “the tumultuous and vicious cycle of mental health crisis, public health, and the healthcare and social systems that are at odds in American society.”
“The reaction has been really positive,” said Professor of Social Work Lynn Goerdt. “It’s very thought provoking. I’ve been here with people from the community that were here during the reception and I’ve been here with two different classes of students, I’ve been here with coworkers. What I really appreciate what Moira and Carla have done is they really just provide all these different perspectives of experiences and then it just gives us the time and space to have our own reflection and reaction.”
The discussion brought together people from all different backgrounds in relation to mental health, including counseling, advocacy, and research. One of the panelists, mental heath advocate Chrissy Barnard, emphasized the potential for healing and conversation through art.
“This is really an important event today because it normalizes mental illness really in the community,” Barnard said. “And it brings light to some of the challenges that the community experiences, like wait times and delays and the lack of services.”
Barnard said there are currently no in-patient services in Douglas County, something she is working to change. For now, however, those in mental health crisis may be left “Waiting for Beds” that aren’t there to begin with.
