Happy Halloween!

Halloween is a fun time of the year; it’s the one day that allows you to be anyone or anything you want to be. At the same time, Halloween is a time of year when mental health is stigmatized the most with people dressing up as “psychos” and attending “haunted insane asylums.”

NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) has issued a stigma alert for Halloween costumes that feature inaccurate and offensive stereotypes regarding those with mental illnesses: “violent stereotypes are inaccurate and offensive and the U.S. Surgeon General has determined that stigma is a major barrier to people getting help when they need it.”

So what are some fun and creative costume alternatives?

Tetris Game Pieces: Get a group of your friends or family members to piece this costume together.

Pinata: As an adult it’s an excuse to beg for candy again!

Facebook Profile: Tell people what is on your mind or what your favorite pages are (hopefully The Bridge is one of them). Perhaps this a great strategy to find more friends?

Tourist: Everyone has this costume stored in their closet – the obnoxious floral shirt, sunscreen, camera and walking shoes.

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Bridge to Host Art Exhibit, Tuesday November 10

You are invited to attend the exhibition and reception

Reflections

WHEN: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Exhibition from 1:15 - 8:00 p.m.
Remarks at 1:30 and 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: The Bridge Inc.
248 West 108th Street, Gallery 300
New York, NY 10025

Bridge Group Artists under the direction of Art Therapist Judith Raskin Rosenthal, ATR, evolved twenty-two years ago from The Bridge Art Therapy program. Created with MoMA this mixed media exhibition concentrates on Self Portraits. Robin Holland, Portrait Photographer, donated her talent and time to photograph the nine artists that worked on their Self Portraits. Personal themes were also explored. This exhibition represents the work of eleven Bridge artists.

This event is open to the public and free of charge. Refreshments and hors d'oeuvres will be served. 100% of the proceeds from each painting sold will go directly to the artists.

Underwriting provided by the Educational Foundation of America.