Youth M.O.V.E. PA and PA System of Care Partnership Stomper


"Yana"


Created by youth and community members throughout the state of Pennsylvania.  


“You Are Not Alone."

Mental health issues touch all of us at different points in our lives. Recognizing and asking for help when you have a concern is a sign of strength. It means you care enough about yourself and your health to know when to let people in. 


If you have a concern or feel like you need help, don't be afraid to seek out resources. chance are when you open up to a trusted individual - a famly member, a doctor, a teacher, a friend - others will open up too.


This Stomper is named "YANA" to symbolize "You Are Not Alone." You are surrounded by support systems who will engage with and remind you how much you matter.​

 

Individuals throughout the state of Pennsylvania came together to discuss the importance of mental wellness and to engage with one in other through the use of art. Each piece of this Stomper tells a story of a brave individual. 


Messages of hope and encouragement were written on parts of the sneakers to help remind people how important they are and how we are all in this together.


The pictures to the left provide a look at some of the painting sessions that took place during the month of March 2017. 


Stomper YANA and it's story was unveiled on May 3, 2017 during the Youth M.O.V.E. PA Mental Health Awareness Day at Strawberry Square in Harrisburg, PA. The theme for the 2017 Mental Health event was "You Are Not Alone,"  which is how YANA got its name. 

Our Artists:

Marisa Vicere

Nancy Vicere

Chris Bittner




"Yana"

Deep Breathing Exercise


Some other tools to help you relax include deep breathing, meditation, and yoga.  These activities can help begin to open your mind, body and spirit and create a sense of calmness. 


  • Stand up straight with feet shoulder-width apart
  • Arms and hands are relaxed downward
  • Body is relaxed
  • Eyes closed
  • Focus on lower abdomen (belly) and imagine a small balloon in that space
  • Breath in slowly an deeply through your nose, imagining the balloon inflating slowly, hold in a few seconds
  • Slowly exhale through the mouth, imagining the balloon gently deflating; blow out of the mouth as if blowing out a candle
  • Tip: Place a hand over the lower abdomen to feel it go up and down and make sure you’re not breathing with the chest
  • Repeat 10 times.

A Big Thank You:

Mental Health Conversation Starters: Let's Engage in Dialogue!

  • How can we continue to reduce the stigma around mental health?
  • What can we do to help promote healthy dialogue around the topic of mental wellness?
  • What can we do to let people know they are not alone?
  • Do you feel comfortable reaching out for help if you need it? Who can you reach out to?
  • Why might someone not feel comfortable reaching out for help? how can we help them change their attitudes?
  • Do you think stigmas still exist around mental and emotional health? Why or why not?
  • How do we increase understanding about mental and emotional health issues?
  • What do you do when you are feeling sad to help you feel better
  • What do you like to do to help you relax?

YANA was made possible by the generous support of the System of Care Partnership and  Youth M.O.V.E. PA



Special Thanks To:

Mark Durgin

Zachary Karenchak

Corey Ludden