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UNION COUNTY, NJ — Union County residents participated in four groundbreaking workshops. The Healing Stage Workshops are part of Project BrOKen’s effort to explore mental health, disability and neurodivergence through arts-based activities.

Overall, Project BrOKen is an exciting, transformative and moving compilation of workshops, dances, resource fairs and expressive arts experiences addressing mental health, addiction and disability. The original project has been expanded to offer these tailored workshops for youth and adults.

The Healing Stage Workshops were created by María Daniel of iDance Ministry, a Plainfield resident, and offered throughout Union County. Workshop sites include Scotch Plains–Fanwood High School, a middle school in Elizabeth, and the Plainfield Performing Arts Center. iDance integrated dance, movement, improvisation, music, props, theater—in some settings—and expressive arts experiences as a means of exploring mental health and well-being. The combined results speak for themselves.

After participating in the Healing Stage workshops, residents of Scotch Plains and Plainfield reported the following in their post-workshop surveys:

100% of participants said they would recommend the workshop to improve mental health.

Overall, workshop participants at all locations reported less anxiety and stress, that they felt more relaxed, and that they learned new coping strategies for stress and anxiety.

The following results were reported from the workshops:

• 100% said that the following workshop reduced stress and anxiety;

• 100% said the workshop improved their mood and emotional well-being;

• 100% said that the workshop gave them a sense of community and social support;

• 100% said that the workshop increased their self-esteem and confidence;

• 100% said that the workshop helped them deal with negative emotions; and

• 100% reported a positive impact of the workshop on their mental health.

The canvas artworks created by some participants addressed Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression and hope, healing and recovery.
The ages of the workshop participants ranged from 9 to 81 years and included residents of all ability levels.

The workshops were funded in part by iDance Ministry and Union County’s HEART Grant.

Special thanks to the City of Plainfield, Mayor Adrian O. Mapp, Sharon McGuire and Erica Brown of the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, Dr. Joan Mast – Superintendent of the Scotch Plains–Fanwood District, the Scotch Plains–Fanwood Board of Education, Tracy C. Monteiro – Director of Visual and Performing Arts in Elizabeth, and Mayor Losardo of Scotch Plains, founding partner of Project BrOKen.

For more information about the BrOKen project, email María Daniel at (email protected).

Photos courtesy of María Daniel