ABOUT US
Healing Strokes facilitates relaxation-based art therapy for stroke patients and their caregivers with the goal of alleviating post-stroke depression often experienced during recovery. Post-stroke depression and related anxiety affect about a third of all stroke survivors, yet many hospitals often lack the proper mental wellness resources needed to address this issue. By facilitating creative art-based therapy workshops, volunteers strive to cultivate empathy-based communities, mitigate depressive symptoms among stroke survivors, and increase relief amongst caregivers. We hope to create a community that is challenged to engage in discussions of ethical practices both in therapy and with patients as a whole.
OUR GOALS ARE FOUR-FOLD:
MENTAL WELLNESS
To boost stroke patients’ mental wellness through activities that evoke feelings of accomplishment, resilience, excitement, and self-confidence
COMMUNITY
To offer a free and consistent weekly space for stroke patients to engage with others going through similar recovery processes; establishing both a peer support community and building connections between patients, carers, and students through shared therapeutic activities and fruitful discussion.
COLLABORATION
To strengthen patient-carer relationships by establishing a welcoming space for both parties to collaboratively engage in activities and facilitate open and frank discussion on the journey of stroke recovery
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
To implement fun and low-risk creative-arts based activities that enable post-stroke patients to exercise their physical and mental capabilities in ways that avoid the typical frustrations that accompany neuronal rehabilitation.