ART therapy has been used to create some special rocks this week in Port Stephens, sharing a very special message.

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Community groups working together in kindness, thoughtfulness and caring for others going through difficult times have resulted in a great activity to acknowledge ‘R U Okay?’ day, celebrated Nationally this week.

This day reminds everyone to ask those around us ‘are you okay?’ on any given day in the hopes of reaching out to someone who may be struggling.

From an idea presented in the facebook group ‘NSW Rocks’, the Art Therapists with Port Stephens Community Drug Action Team Allissa Hassett and Evie Kalina Mauldin, with help from face paint artist Judi Walker, provided a table, paint and rocks to teach some art skills at the ‘Walk With Us’ event for Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network, in honour of R U Okay day.

Allissa Hassett and Evie Kalina Mauldin offer free art therapy programs for adults and young people going through difficult times, funded by Port Stephens Community Drug Action Team.

Allissa and Evie run the ‘Creative Connections’ art therapy program for family and friends of individuals living with alcohol and other drug dependency, on monday mornings at Anna Bay.

Evie runs the ‘Nelson Bay Youth Art Group’ on Saturdays, every fortnight from 10am-12pm.

To enquire about either of these groups, you can email info@allissahassett.com.au or eviekalina@gmail.com.

Allisa told News Of The Area, “Art therapy is an evidence-based mental health support that offers individuals a non-intrusive way of communicating when words are not enough.”

Using the process of art making, a problem or situation can be worked through in order to find new ways of looking at things.”

Evie said, “Art therapy programs are also valuable for those who are caring for others because it ‘encourages carers to take care of their own needs, through exploring key barriers to self-care and how to achieve good balance between caring for self and caring for others, issues of health and wellbeing and better understanding carer-related stress, and encouraging carers in identifying difficult feelings associated with their caring role.”