In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Los Angeles City Hall will be lit green for 48 hours, starting at sunset Monday evening.
Green is the international color for healing and a green ribbon is the symbol of mental health awareness. The lighting is part of the WE RISE 2022 campaign to advance health and healing in LA County. The campaign will include free cultural events throughout the month with the aim of connecting people, especially those aged 14 to 24, with community resources that support mental health.
“I am honored to be able to support and co-host WE RISE 2022 where such amazing groups use creativity to provide essential services, distribute food, provide diapers for mothers and families and more,” said the co. -WE RISE 2022 Community Director. Robin García. “Thanks to WE RISE, recovery efforts in Los Angeles are culturally relevant and incredibly creative.”
From Tuesday through the end of the month, LA Commons will host “Creating Our Next LA” in Grand Park, where the park’s 72 live oak trees will represent the community reclaiming its own well-being. The park will also be transformed to include a hanging art exhibit.
Levitt Pavilion and Cultiva LA will host a “Garden Block Party” at the Westlake Community Garden, 599 Columbia Ave., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event aims to transform access to healthy food and wellbeing through people, social enterprise and environmental justice, according to the campaign.
The campaign also launches the first South Central Film Festival organized by Esperanza Community Housing. The festival will take place May 20 and 21 at 3655 S. Grand Ave.
Community Coalition will organize a festival with workshops, exhibits, a bike tour, entertainment, resources and an art walk to help South Los Angeles residents connect to art, healing and participation civic. The event will take place at 8101 S. Vermont Ave. May 14, 21 and 28.
A full list of events is available at whywerise.la/werisela.
“When we rely on essential community supports that facilitate access to mental health and wellness resources, we ensure our Los Angeles County family stays connected to the community,” said Jonathan E. Sherin, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “WE RISE does just that by emphasizing connectedness through heart-directed community activities that are essential to healing and well-being. None of us are well until we are all well.
WE RISE is a partner of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, along with Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Health Net, and Kaiser Permanente. Prop 63, which funds public education in Los Angeles County, is also supporting the campaign.