As part of the We Rise initiative, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is hosting a series of free community programs, events and pop-up experiences through May 31 highlighting the healing power of art.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We Rise encourages well-being and healing through art, connection, community engagement and creative expression. It includes Art Rise, a series of 21 art experiences, community pop-ups and a digital experience offering original programs. All installations and activities can be viewed from a distance, individually or in small groups to remain in compliance with health and safety regulations while fostering community connection and collective healing.

“We Rise is a celebration of well-being, healing and resiliency, which is of greater importance as we emerge from the challenges created by the public health pandemic,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, 5th District, author of a board motion to recognize Mental Health Awareness Month. “This initiative, and our ongoing efforts to enhance mental health resources and services for our residents, is an integral part of the county’s ongoing commitment to support our communities.”

Community pop-ups will be held in each of the five county supervisorial districts, in partnership with over 50 community groups, artists, grassroots leaders and organizations. In the 3rd District, the 18th Street Arts Center will present Recovery Justice: Being Well, a series of self-organized artist workshops, panels and projects addressing well-being as key to civic health. The We Rise initiative also features Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural, which will present the 16th annual “Celebrating Words Festival: Written, Performed and Sung,” a virtual program that will include creative arts workshops, educational presentations, a queer poetry night and live entertainment. Community Coalition will create Culture Cures, a participatory community altar to lives lost to COVID-19 in South Los Angeles.

“Connectedness is vital to mental health and well-being, more so now than ever as we begin recovering from the multiple collective traumas experienced across our county this past year,” said Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Jonathan E. Sherin. “Our We Rise campaign, in its fourth year this May, is designed as a heart-forward opportunity and movement built to empower our diverse communities to come together for strength and healing.”

Admission to all events is free. For information and a schedule, visit werise.la.