Canvas of Courage: The Role of Art in Destigmatizing the Conversation on Mental Health

This panel discussion presented in conjunction with The Pippins exhibition at the Art Students League of New York. This conversation examines the vital role of art in destigmatizing mental health challenges and reshaping public dialogue around inner turmoil and resilience.

Moderated by Dr. Angelica Terepka, Director of Psychology and Director of Elmhurst Suicide Prevention in Youth at NYC Health + Hospitals | Elmhurst, the panel brings together a dynamic group of voices:

• Brigitte Norton, artist and collaborator continuing the legacy of her late son Charlie, whose paintings and poems are central to The Pippins
• Dr. Jason Hershberger, Chair of Psychiatry at One Brooklyn Health, with deep expertise in community mental health and re-entry support for justice-involved individuals‍
• Janette Agbetor, MA, LCAT, ATR-BC, Creative Arts Therapy Supervisor at One Brooklyn Health and practicing art therapist, who harnesses the power of artmaking in psychiatric and trauma-informed care
• Jeremiah Cedeño, Program Manager at Vibrant Emotional Health, leading policy work for the national 988 Lifeline and championing equity in crisis response.
• Maya Adam, MD, PhD, Director of Health Media Innovation at Stanford Medicine, whose work measures the impact of art, music, and entertainment-education on global health communication, and who also serves as Faculty Lead of the Global Health Media Innovation Lab and Associate Director of Stanford’s Center for Digital Health.

Together, the panelists share professional insights, lived experiences, and artistic perspectives to illuminate how creativity can dismantle stigma, cultivate connection, and inspire courage in the face of adversity.