In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Los Angeles City Hall will be lit green for 48 hours, starting at sunset Monday night.
Green is the international color for healing, and a green ribbon is the symbol for mental health awareness. The lighting is part of the WE RISE 2022 campaign aimed at advancing health and healing in L.A. County. The campaign will include free cultural events throughout the month with the goal of connecting people, particularly those between 14 and 24 years old, with community resources that support mental health.
"I'm honored to be able to support and co-curate WE RISE 2022 where such incredible groups are using creativity to provide essential services, distribute food, provide diapers to mothers and families and more,'' said WE RISE 2022 Community Co-Director Robin Garcia. ``Through WE RISE, the recovery efforts in LA are culturally relevant and incredibly creative.''
From Tuesday through the end of the month, L.A. Commons will host ``Creating Our Next L.A.'' at Grand Park, where the park's 72 live oak trees will represent the community reclaiming its own wellness. The park also wil lbe transformed to include an exhibit of hanging art.
Levitt Pavilion and Cultiva L.A. will host a ``Garden Block Party'' at the Westlake Community Garden, 599 Columbia Ave., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The event is aimed at transforming healthy food access and wellness through people, social enterprise and environmental justice, the campaign said.
The campaign is also launching the first South Central Film Festival hosted by Esperanza Community Housing. The festival will take place on May 20 and 21 at 3655 S. Grand Ave.
Community Coalition will host a festival with workshops, exhibits, a bike tour, entertainment, resources and an art walk to help South Los Angeles residents connect with art, healing and civic participation. The event will take place at 8101 S. Vermont Ave. on May 14, 21 and 28.
A full list of events is available at whywerise.la/werisela.
"When we lean into essential community supports that facilitate access to resources for mental health and wellbeing, we ensure that our Los Angeles County family stays connected to community,'' said Jonathan E. Sherin, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. ``WE RISE does just that by emphasizing connectedness through community-led, heart-forward activities that are central to healing and wellbeing. None of us are well until ALL of us are 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 by Los Angeles County, also supports the campaign.