2017 Awareness Day Final Report 2017_ADayFinalReport | Page 13

Engaging national
collaborating organizations
and their audiences
The American Art Therapy Association created a digital art
exhibition.
The Awareness Day 2017 theme, “Partnering for Help and Hope,” was strengthened by the support
of SAMHSA’s national collaborating organizations, including professional organizations representing
primary care and behavioral health providers, as well as national groups that serve youth and
families. SAMHSA welcomed 10 new national collaborating organizations: American Academy of
Family Physicians, American Diabetes Association, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials,
EveryMind, Family Voices, Michael Phelps Foundation, Parents Anonymous, Sheppard Pratt Health
System, Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, and Visiting Nurse Associations of
America. Collectively, these groups helped spread the message of integration to new audiences and
communities. SAMHSA also was pleased to partner with several new Federal agencies and programs,
including the Medical Reserve Corps and the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.
In addition, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services played a significant role this year. HRSA promoted
fully integrated care during Awareness Day by developing messaging, creating content, and
promoting the Washington, DC, event. During SAMHSA’s Awareness Day event on May 4, two
of HRSA’s grantees were featured in a video about the integration of behavioral health and
primary care for children and youth, including the provision of care to rural and underserved
communities through telehealth approaches. SAMHSA was pleased to have HRSA’s
Administrator, Dr. George Sigounas, modeling partnership by welcoming the audience along
with SAMHSA leadership.
In honor of Awareness Day 2017, the
American Art Therapy Association
collaborated with the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services Office of Head
Start and Youth M.O.V.E. National to create
an inspiring digital art exhibition, “I am a
work of art.” Organizers invited children,
youth, and young adults to interpret the
words “I am a work of art” in their own
artwork in celebration of the important role
of creativity in supporting positive mental,
social, and emotional health. Using hundreds
of submissions, the exhibit was created
with the recognition that art can provide
a powerful strategy for working through
behavioral health challenges. Check out the
digital exhibit here: https://arttherapy.org/i-
am-a-work-of-art-2/.
2017 FINAL REPORT
13