Story Tools
Larger Font	Smaller Font	Save Story	Print Story
Discuss this story Post Talk

Small Full Robert Bower / Post Register - An art display by the Idaho Federation of Families for Children\'s Mental Health about children’s mental health and the stigma or prejudice they often feel, will be on display in Rexburg for the next two weeks at Brigham Young University-Idaho’s Manwaring Center. Karissa McCurdy, 14, at center, had a piece of her artwork selected for the display.

REXBURG — Karissa McCurdy likes art but knows it can be difficult to make a drawing say what you want it to say.

A self-portrait she drew last summer speaks volumes. There’s a blue circle on her stomach.

“When I get nervous, that blue spot comes to my stomach,” the 14-year-old said Wednesday as she pointed to the picture, now part of a collection at Brigham Young University-Idaho’s Manwaring Center called “Art from the Heart.”

Organizers hope the display, which boasts personal art, poetry and statements mostly from children with a mental illness, will help end the stigma often associated with mental disorders. They hope it will spark discussion, education and acceptance.

The exhibit stems from a statewide arts program launched over the summer by Idaho Systems of Care, which helps the mentally ill, and the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health, which offers support for families of children with a mental illness.

It involves 300 children in 22 cities. Selected works were printed on display panels that are traveling the state. They’ll be in Rexburg until March 14.

The panels include information on mental illnesses and places to turn for help.

“I didn’t know who to ask or what to ask,” said Lynne Whiting, who raised a mentally ill child. “I really struggled. I don’t want other families to go through the struggles I did.”

Now she’s vice president of the board for the Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health.

Whiting was thrilled to watch “Art from the Heart” unfold as parents and their children created and discussed the projects.

“It was fun to watch,” she said. “It helped parents understand their children and opened communication for parents to be able to talk about their thoughts and feelings.”

Karissa’s mother, Cynthia McCurdy, has seen firsthand the difference that understanding a mental illness can make. After a school psychologist told her to take Karissa, then five, out of school and that she would never read or write, McCurdy learned all she could about mental disorders and the

help available to those affected.

Today she is an advocate for mental illnesses, serving as a member of the Mental Health Advisory Board and the Idaho Council for Children’s Mental Health Board and as chairwoman of the Region 7 Children’s Mental Health Council.

“I believe we need to learn to respect these children for what they are,” she said. “We should never focus on their disabilities, but on their abilities.”

Today, Karissa McCurdy is enrolled in school. She can read, write, play the piano, sing and even snowboard. She spoke during the “Art from the Heart” presentation while it was in Boise, and spoke at Rexburg’s kick-off Wednesday.

“I know I’m different and I think different,” she said. “My mom and dad say it’s OK and you can do it. ... Be true to yourself and miracles can and will happen.”

Upper Valley reporter/editor Kendra Evensen can be reached at the Post Register’s Rexburg office at 656-0101.