Students Use Art to Unmask Emotions in Schuylkill County Schools

Pittsburgh (May 6, 2025) – In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care, Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, and the Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania are collaborating with Schuylkill County Mental Health and Developmental Services and the community-based art initiative “I'm Fine” to bring art and emotional wellness to the forefront in local schools.

This initiative is possible thanks to funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration, and it is part of the GRACE Project—a grant-funded consortium focused on enhancing behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery services for children and adolescents in Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union, Northumberland, and Schuylkill counties. The GRACE Project works to strengthen the ability of providers, paraprofessionals, and community members to care for youth with behavioral health needs and build lasting community partnerships that help to ensure every child has access to appropriate resources that support mental well-being.

As part of this effort, school-based workshops were held in Schuylkill County high schools where students created ceramic masks symbolizing the emotional "masks" people often wear to conceal their struggles. These creative sessions offered students a safe, reflective space to explore emotions, reduce stigma around mental health, and connect through artistic expression.

Participating school districts included:

• Pine Grove Area.
• North Schuylkill.
• Shenandoah Valley.
• Blue Mountain.
• Pottsville Area.

The students’ masks will be shown in in-school displays and featured in a traveling public exhibit at the following community locations:

• Haven Arts Center: May 5–13
• Schuylkill County Courthouse: May 19–24
• Tamaqua Art Center: May 27–June 7

"These works of art designed by students represent more than creativity—they reveal courage, vulnerability, and a deep desire to be seen and understood,"" said Matthew Hurford, MD, President and CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization and Vice President of Behavioral Health for the UPMC Insurance Services Division. "We are proud to support our youth in using art as a tool for emotional expression and community connection."

Community members are encouraged to attend the public exhibits and view the powerful artwork created by local students. These masks are a meaningful reminder of the importance of emotional expression, and how they can be viewed as windows into the minds and hearts of our youth.

Funding Acknowledgment
This exhibit is supported in part by an award from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

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About UPMC Insurance Services

The UPMC Insurance Services Division serves more than 4.1 million members and is owned and operated by UPMC, a world-renowned health care provider and insurer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The UPMC Insurance Services Division provides commercial products through UPMC Health Plan for both groups and individuals. Its commercial products also include workers' compensation and employee assistance from nationally known Workpartners^®. Government products include Medicare Advantage plans (UPMC for Life); special needs plans for those who are eligible for Medicare and Medical Assistance (UPMC for Life Complete Care and UPMC Community HealthChoices); a Medical Assistance plan (UPMC for You); and Children's Health Insurance Program plans (UPMC for Kids). Community Care Behavioral Health Organization—one of the nation's largest nonprofit managed care behavioral health organizations—is also part of the Insurance Services Division. Community Care offers a full range of services to commercial and Medical Assistance members. For more information, visit upmchealthplan.com.

About the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care

Established in 2011, the UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care (Center) advances the health and health care of the members, patients, and communities that UPMC serves by generating new knowledge and insights through real-world health services research and program evaluation. For more than a decade, the Center’s work has helped UPMC keep pace with the ever-evolving health care landscape. In conjunction with the Centers for Value-Based Pharmacy Initiatives and Social Impact, the Center team has grown and broadened relationships to support UPMC with addressing pressing health care challenges. In collaboration with members and other stakeholders, the Center takes a data-driven approach to shape and inform the important questions it seeks to answer. For more information, visit upmchighvaluehealthcare.com.

About Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania

The Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania (BHARP) a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, was established in the fall of 2006 and is comprised of County MH/ID Administrators and Human Service Directors, along with Drug and Alcohol Single County Authorities from 24 counties in north central Pennsylvania.